Rendon takes another positive step in return, could be activated today

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon went 3-for-4 with a double on Friday night in Single-A Potomac's 4-3 loss to the Salem Red Sox in Woodbridge, Va. He made a solid defensive play at third base early in the game and spoke to reporters after the game about his progress.

"I feel all right. They said I'm going to feel it for another five or six weeks after the injury, so obviously it's still going to be there, but we play with aches and pains throughout the year," Rendon told reporters at Pfitzner Stadium. "I was just trying to get it where it's tolerable and I'm not really compensating around it."

Rendon had suffered a hairline fracture in the toe, according to The Washington Post, and not just a deep bruise.

Dr. Keith Pyne, part of the Nationals' medical staff advisory board, developed a protective device to surround the big toe as Rendon recovered. Rendon admitted it took some getting used to.

"It's weird, obviously. It's just like a rock in your shoe, but not to that extent," Rendon told reporters. "But it's definitely helpful at the same time."

Manager Davey Martinez said Rendon is likely to return today to the Nationals. Rendon said he could have been activated yesterday, but wanted to give it one more day.

Rendon said it all depends on how he feels today during pregame drills to decide whether he will be activated from the disabled list.

"It (was) still sore when I went to the park," Rendon told reporters. "Just trying to get to ready, continue to move on it. Luckily, it calmed down by gametime. We will have to see how it is (today), as well. It's all going to be tough. We got night game, day game, so we haven't really done that yet."

* Photo by Gary Dize