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The third opinion on Anthony Rendon's injured left knee was the same as the first two. Rendon suffered an MCL sprain on a diving play at third base back on March 9th, and the 24-year-old infielder hasn't yet been cleared to begin baseball activities that would start him on his way back to competitive action.
The third opinion, which confirmed the findings by the Nationals' team doctor, Wiemi Douoghui and renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, was offered by a knee specialist, Dr. Steve Singleton of Vail, Colorado, who Rendon chose to visit when the pain persisted weeks after the initial diagnosis.
Though CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman wrote this morning that Nats' GM Mike Rizzo wouldn't confirm a three-week estimate Heyman's sources gave for a potential return to action for Rendon, he did say, as quoted in the article, that the latest diagnosis was positive:
"'It's positive news. All three (doctors) agreed. There's nothing seriously wrong, and it should remedy itself. Some turn the corner quickly and with other guys it takes a few weeks. But he will be fine."
Nationals' manager Matt Williams addressed the latest news on Rendon this morning, when he spoke to reporters before this afternoon's Grapefruit League game with the Miami Marlins, offering as much of a plan as he could for how things will be handled going forward.
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"'Once it calms down and he can resume baseball activity, then we can resume that process,'" Williams told reporters, including NatsInsider.com's Mark Zuckerman. "'But he’s missed so much time, it’ll be a fairly lengthy [rehab], I’m sure, to get him back in shape.'"
Williams described Rendon's situation as "week-to-week" again, echoing what's been said previously and explaining that, "'Once it calms down and he can resume baseball activity, then we can resume that process.'"
If there was any doubt before today, however, the latest update makes it absolutely clear that Rendon will not be ready for Opening Day.
In his second full season in the majors in 2014, the 2011 Nationals' 1st Round pick put up a .287/.351/.473 line with 39 doubles, six triples and 21 HRs in 153 games and 683 PAs in a +6.5 fWAR campaign. Who will fill in at third base until he's ready is still unclear with both Danny Espinosa and Yunel Escobar seeing time at the hot corner in the last week-plus.