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Wire Taps: Nationals' Anthony Rendon getting third opinion; Mets' Jerry Blevins' new avatar

Another 24 hours of waiting for news on Anthony Rendon... I hope everyone is okay. Some Washington Nationals fans are getting desperate. Don't join them. The Nats' injury issues are not being caused by Matt Williams not doing his Babe Ruth act...

By Patrick Reddington
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Dr. James Andrews confirmed the initial diagnosis on Anthony Rendon's injured left knee according to reports out of Viera, FL's Space Coast Stadium on Tuesday. Washington's 24-year-old third baseman has an MCL sprain, suffered making a diving play in a March 9th Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves.

Since Rendon's knee remains an issue, however, he's going to get another doctor's opinion.

"Rendon is expected to see Dr. Steven Singleton from in Vail, Colo., on Tuesday to get a third opinion on the knee," MLB.com's Bill Ladson reported.

Andrews reportedly said that it's not something that will likely resolve itself quickly... or be a long-term issue.

"Andrews couldn’t offer a definitive timetable for Rendon’s return but did rule out both a super-quick and a long-term heal," NatsInsider.com's Mark Zuckerman wrote.

"We have to make sure that he is out of pain before he starts his baseball stuff," Nats' skipper Williams told MLB.com. "We'll go from there."

Rendon reportedly saw Dr. Singleton on Tuesday.

Will Williams update reporters before this afternoon's game? Will NatsTown have to hold its collective breath until after the Nationals' 1:05 PM EDT Grapefruit League game against the Miami Marlins?

While you wait to find out, why not catch up on the last 24 hours in Nats-related links, tweets and quotes...

Sorry, a few more Rendon stories...

• "'Doc had the same diagnosis, if you will, that was initially diagnosed - sprained MCL,' Williams said." - "Nationals Pastime: Rendon to seek a third opinion on his left knee, Escobar to take a shot at third base" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com

• "Orthopedic surgeon James Andrews agreed with the Nationals’ assessment of Anthony Rendon’s still balky left knee..." - "Yunel Escobar to play third while Anthony Rendon gets another opinion on knee (UPDATED)" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

Jayson Werth's return to (minor league) game action:

• "Werth, who had surgery to repair the AC joint in his right shoulder January 9, feels like he cleared a significant hurdle..." - "Jayson Werth pleased with first game at-bats of spring" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "'If I had a month left, I’d be right where I needed to be but I got six days, five now,' he said Tuesday morning.'" - "Jayson Werth swings in a game; Reed Johnson, Matt den Dekker join the Nationals" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• "Nationals manager Matt Williams said Werth would not play in a Grapefruit League game until they are sure he would be ready for Opening Day." - "Werth takes swings in Minor League game" - Jamal Collier, nationals.com

Jerry Blevins gets help from Amazin' Avenue:

• "But one submission stood out, um, above all others." - "Jerry Blevins gets amazin’ new Twitter avatar, then strikes out ex-Nats teammate Bryce Harper" - Scott Allen, The Washington Post

• "Mets Manager Terry Collins called on Blevins in the bottom of the seventh inning to face Harper." - "Jerry Blevins on striking out Bryce Harper a day after trade: ‘We’re both competitors'" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• "Blevins was informed of the trade right after the Nationals’ game against the Cardinals, but he had a hunch something was up when he wasn’t summoned to appear in the game." - "Blevins’ 'awkward' 24 hours starts with trade, ends with K of Harper" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

Your Daily Message from the Dalai Lama on Twitter (@DalaiLama):

NATS BEAT: Gio's Ks; Nats' O; Williams not worried

• "Left-hander Gio Gonzalez turned in his third straight strong start for the Nationals, giving up two runs on seven hits with a walk and six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings." - "Nationals Pastime: Gonzalez ready for season after solid outing, Blevins fools Harper" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com

• "Gio Gonzalez cruised through the Mets' lineup the first two times through the order until the Mets got on the board in the fifth..." - "Gonzalez fans six in solid outing vs. Mets" - Jamal Collier, nationals.com

• "This has been a MASH spring for the Nationals, with one player going down with injuries after another." - "Injuries causing Nationals' Opening Day lineup to have unfamiliar look" - Thom Loverro, Washington Times

• "Center fielder Michael A. Taylor and left fielder Tyler Moore stayed hot with a single apiece for the Nats against Mets starter Jon Niese." - "Nationals Pastime: Quiet day for Nats offense (Nats lose 2-0)" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com

• "You could argue that the six most important body parts for this franchise — the throwing arms of Messrs. Scherzer, Zimmermann, Strasburg, Fister, Gonzalez and Roark — all remain attached to their respective torsos..." - "For Washington Nationals, panic on Half Street or just bumps in the road?" - Dan Steinberg, The Washington Post

• "Guys like Tyler Moore, Tony Gwynn Jr., Michael Taylor and Kevin Frandsen could very likely be in the lineup to begin the season." - "Nats' spring numbers reveal which super subs may play key roles in April" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

Williams won't say #WSOB:

• "Expectations are high because we have some really good players and collectively, they can be a really special team." - "Williams feeling excited, not pressure over expectations" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

NATIONAL(S) BEAT: Harper not overrated; Mets' reliever Jerry Blevins

• "For the last three years the baseball world’s been waiting for Bryce Harper to break out." - "ESPN Player Poll Votes Bryce Harper Most Overrated, This Fact Might Make You Reconsider" - Mike Cardillo, The Big Lead

• "Zimmermann trails his teammates in the strikeout category, but that’s not because he lacks the stuff for them." - "National League Starting Pitcher Tiers: March" - Paul Sporer, FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball

• "He threw three pitches to Harper, who he said is his friend, and struck him out swinging..." - "Jerry Blevins talks ‘awkward’ trade from Nationals to Mets" - Kristie Ackert, NY Daily News

• "'I think any time a player has to go to an arbitration hearing, I don't know, from history presents itself it looks like the days are numbered with that team,' Stammen said." - "Why Washington Nationals may have traded Jerry Blevins and 'awkward' transition for new Mets lefty" - Mike Vorkunov, NJ.com

• "Sandy Leon is getting the crash course, learning the condensed version of what Christian Vazquez has been learning for the last nine months." - "Red Sox Notebook: Sandy Leon gets caught up" - Jason Mastrodonato, Boston Herald

Nats now Rays, Giants: Souza and Karns updates

• "Change is good, and in time, the Rays will learn if their projection that Souza can be a better defensive player than Myers will pay off." - "Legion of Zoom: Tampa Bay Rays' outfield seeks to use speed to make a difference" - Andrew Astleford, FOX Sports

• "Karns, 27, has handled the bigger challenge of the spring with equal aplomb and success..." - "Nathan Karns steps up to seize Rays opportunity" - Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times

NL EAST UPDATES: Braves, Phillies battle for worst?; Mel-VIN!!!; MiamDee

• Marlins: "Gordon could be an electrifying presence after leading the National League in steals and triples last season and scoring 92 runs for the Dodgers." - "Gordon fitting in nicely with Marlins" - Richard Justice, marlins.com

• Phillies: "The Philadelphia Phillies aren't going to be any good this season and everybody knows it." - "The Phillies are selling liquor and wine now, so fans can drown their sorrows" - Mike Oz, Big League Stew - Yahoo Sports

• Mets: "The other big question mark, and the cause for most excitement is Harvey, who is coming off Tommy John surgery and last threw a Major League pitch in Aug. 2013." - "Meet the (Mess) Mets!" - Kelli Gail, Huffington Post

• "But in the big picture, Matt Harvey has looked great, the offense has performed at a much higher level than expected..." - "Mets’ March magic can make us believers — or fools" - Joel Sherman, New York Post

• Braves: "You’ve probably noticed that phrases like 'pennant contender' and 'World Series darkhorse' and 'Washington could be in trouble in the East' are missing from Braves’ forecasts." - "Are Braves really second-worst team in majors (thank you, Philly)?" - Jeff Schultz, AJC.com

• "If Upton gets a favorable update, he will begin taking the steps necessary to begin a Minor League rehab stint..." - "Upton Jr. set for checkup on left foot" - Mark Bowman, braves.com

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