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Washington Nationals’ lineup for series opener with the New York Mets...

Washington and New York start a three-game series in D.C. at 7:05 PM EDT tonight + Nationals’ skipper Davey Martinez has Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto back now...

By Patrick Reddington
New York Yankees v Washington Nationals - Game One Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Anthony Rendon has played in just one game at home in the nation’s capital since he went 7 for 24 (.292 AVG) with two doubles and two homers in six games against Pittsburgh’s Pirates and San Francisco Giants during a homestand in mid-April.

Rendon tested his injured left elbow in an April 26th game in D.C. but it didn’t react well and the 28-year-old third baseman ended up on the Injured List a few days later.

Rendon returned from the IL during Washington’s visit to Milwaukee and the Nationals’ 2011 1st Round pick went just 3 for 22 (.136 AVG) in his first six games back in the lineup, leaving him with a .305/.391/.621 line on the season, with 12 doubles, six homers, nine walks, and 22 Ks in 110 plate appearances on the season.

Nats’ skipper Davey Martinez talked before Rendon returned to the lineup in Miller Park about the impact he can have when he’s available.

“With Anthony, it’s not just one guy, you know,” Martinez explained. “It’s a guy that’s in the middle of our lineup. And don’t forget his defense. His defense is utterly important for us, you know.

“He plays unbelievable defense at third base. I’ve said this before: He’s a guy that our lineup revolves around. So getting him back will be huge.”

With six games of Rendon back in the lineup and two with Juan Soto (back spasms) in Los Angeles, Martinez had a look what he’s got when the team is back (or at least close) to full strength.

“We got some guys back this road trip,” Martinez said. “It gives us — our lineup gets a little length now, our starting pitchers are pitching well, I see signs of our bullpen pitching well, so we go home and get a day off tomorrow, regroup, and let’s come back on Tuesday and win Tuesday.”

The Nationals also sent Trea Turner out on a rehab assignment tonight, as he works his way back from a broken right index finger. Matt Adams and Ryan Zimmerman are still out, but it is possible that one day soon the lineup the Nats expected to field on a daily basis in 2019 is back together again.

HERE’S THE LINEUP THE NATS ARE FIELDING TONIGHT VS THE METS:

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