Ian Desmond and Anthony Rendon have each played in at least 139 of Washington’s 143 games this season. They have each started at least 137 games over the first five months of the season.
So, needless to say, both were more than deserving of a day off.
Desmond and Rendon were each held out of the starting lineup in Wednesday’s series finale against the Atlanta Braves. Desmond is dealing with back tightness, while Rendon has come down with a stomach virus, similar to the illness that plagued Adam LaRoche last week. Kevin Frandsen started at third base and Danny Espinosa started at shortstop in their absences.
Manager Matt Williams said both Desmond and Rendon would be available to enter Wednesday’s game, but only in extenuating circumstances. Rendon was “quarantined in the back and sleeping,” Williams said, while Desmond was receiving treatment for the ailing back that also caused him to leave Tuesday night’s game early.
“He’s OK. He could’ve played,” Williams said of his starting shortstop. “[He] texted me this morning and said he was good, but we decided that it’s probably more important that he also gets a day off. He hasn’t had many.”
Desmond and Rendon, who has primarily played third base this season, have given the Nationals a welcome sense of stability in the left side of the infield this year. Desmond played in all but four games last season and leads the team in games played this year, with Rendon right behind him in that category.
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The Nationals entered Wednesday’s game with a club-best nine-game lead in the National League East and will likely clinch the division title next week. Williams said the team’s success will not change how he deals with minor injuries.
“If Anthony doesn’t feel good, we’re not going to push him. We wouldn’t push him all year long,” Williams said. “We don’t want to hurt anybody. We want to make sure for the long haul that they’re good. So I don’t think the philosophy would change much.”
The only other player unavailable for Wednesday’s game was recent closer Drew Storen, who got a day off after registering three consecutive saves. Tyler Clippard, Matt Thornton and a well-rested Rafael Soriano were all options to work the ninth inning if needed, Williams said.
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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