Rizzo says Rendon has a "calmness" about his play with Nationals

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

April 25, 2013, 2:37pm

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Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo decided to call up top prospect Anthony Rendon on Saturday night to replace Ryan Zimmerman, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury. Zimmerman attended batting practice and was stretching, but is not hitting yet. Manager Davey Johnson said Zimmerman is still a "couple days behind" Wilson Ramos in their recoveries from injuries, but is still on track to return when the 15 days expire. Rizzo said Rendon will "most likely" return to the minors as soon as Zimmerman is healthy, but the Nats will play Rendon as much as possible while he is here. Rendon is not in the lineup for tonight's first of four games against the Reds. "He is going to play every day somewhere," Rizzo said of Rendon. "If he is here in the big leagues, he is going to play every day in the big leagues." Rizzo said Rendon looks the part at third base and at the plate, despite hitting just a 2-for-15 (.133) to start. "I like the way he plays," Rizzo said. "He has got a calmness about him in the batter's box and in the field. I thought he has had some good at-bats against some quality pitching. I think he is going to be a guy that is going to help us in the near future a lot."