Anthony Rendon scratched from Nationals lineup

Viera, Fla. — Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon was scratched from the lineup Wednesday morning because of a bruised left knee.

Rendon made a diving stop in the field two days ago and came away with bruising and swelling on the interior of the knee. Nationals manager Matt Williams was not concerned about the injury going forward.

“Purely precautionary,” Williams said. “Worked through his day yesterday, but was a little bit sore. On the inside of his knee. Took a pretty hard dive out there on the infield and the infields are hard. So, there is no issue other than bruised, and he’ll be good to go in a day or so.”

Before Rendon was scratched, he was atop the Nationals’ lineup. Washington is in search of leadoff options after center fielder Denard Span had surgery Monday to repair a right core muscle injury. Span is expected to wait four to six weeks before he can resume baseball activity. The Nationals open the season April 6.

For now, Michael Taylor is the front-runner to replace Span in center field. Williams said the 23-year-old, who showed flashes of good play as a September call-up last year, will receive the majority of reps in center field while Span and Nate McLouth are out. Recently-signed veteran Tony Gwynn Jr. is another candidate to fill that role.

Rendon has hit .298 over a small sample size at leadoff. He has led off 12 times and made 52 plate appearances in the spot. The majority of Rendon’s major-league at-bats have come in the second spot in the order.

Rendon hit .287 with 21 home runs and 83 RBI. He scored 111 runs and his on-base percentage was .351 — just below Span’s .355 — in just his first full season in the majors.