Nationals put Zimmerman on DL, call up top prospect Rendon
The future is now for the Washington Nationals.
Already sporting a roster of young stars like Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals have added another young piece of their puzzle in third baseman Anthony Rendon.
The 22-year-old Rendon, who was the sixth pick in the 2011 draft, replaces third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who was placed on the disabled list with a strained left.
The Nationals expect Zimmerman to miss the minimum 15 days on the disabled list, a stay that can be backdated to Thursday, according to the Washington Post. While Zimmerman sits, Manager Davey Johnson plans to start Rendon at third base.
Rendon will get the start in Sunday's game, likely hitting sixth against New York Mets right-hander Dillon Gee.
"I'll be his biggest fan," Zimmerman told the Post. "We need him to come up and do as well as he can to help us win. That's the ultimate goal. It's a team. This is one of the first speed bumps we've had, and hopefully Anthony can come up -- I know he can come up -- and do fine."
Rendon missed most of his first professional season with a fractured ankle, but when healthy he has been praised as a smooth fielder with a picturesque swing.
Harper is looking forward to the older Rendon joining the squad.
"I'm excited," the 20-year-old Harper said. "That's awesome. It sucks that Zim is going on the DL, but I'm excited for Rendon to get up here. I think he's a special talent, and it's exciting to have a guy like that. It's going to be fun to watch him play."
