Kendrick returns to clubhouse, Taylor heading to Harrisburg for rehab

The Nationals got some good news on the injury front with the return of utility man Howie Kendrick to the clubhouse from extended spring training in West Palm Beach. Kendrick has been on the injured list with a left hamstring strain since March 25.

"We wanted to bring him back, get some eyes on him, see where he's at," said manager Davey Martinez. "He's going to work out with us a couple of days. He's actually doing well. We just want to get him here and watch him work out with us and see where he's at.

"He played a couple of games, did well. (He) played a sim game. They're all gone now, ready to break camp, and he did well."

Regular season minor league games begin Thursday, but Martinez is optimistic that Kendrick may not need a rehab game, and if everything goes well, the veteran could be reinstated soon from the IL.

"There's a possibility he may not even need that (rehab assignment)," Martinez said. "He looks real good. He ran the bases and looked really, really good. I wanted him to come (so) we could watch him work out."

Michael A. Taylor, on the IL with a right knee/hip sprain since March 25 is on a different level of his rehab and Martinez needs to see the outfielder play actual games. So Taylor will head to Double-A Harrisburg for a rehab game Friday against the Bowie Baysox.

"Michael hasn't really played the outfield yet, so he's going to start rehab assignment," Martinez said. "He's doing well. But he needs to play some games, get out in the outfield. He'll play Friday and then we'll evaluate after that. He's going to Harrisburg."

Kendrick can play second base and the outfield for the Nats. His versatility is important. But Martinez said Kendrick also has extreme value because of his 13 years of major league experience.

"Not only his versatility, but it's also his leadership in the clubhouse," Martinez said. "Having him back, just that extra voice, it will be kind of nice when he gets back. For me, we want him completely healthy after coming off of (torn Achilles injury) last year. We want to make sure that when we get him back, he's back for the duration of the season."

Martinez switched Juan Soto and Anthony Rendon in the lineup for tonight's debut in the series versus the Phillies, with Soto at No. 3 and Rendon at No. 4 in the order. Martinez said that this will not be a permanent change. With Soto and then Rendon tonight against right-hander Zach Eflin, the lineup goes lefty-righty one through six.

Martinez gave first baseman Ryan Zimmerman the day off so he would have two full days of rest. Matt Adams makes his first start after pinch-hitting in each of the first three games.

I asked Adams if the three pinch-hit appearances set him up nicely for this first start.

"Any at-bats will help," Adams said. "But I feel like I'm the type of guy that's done a pretty good job of coming up with a routine when my role is just a pinch-hitter: to be ready when my name is called upon.

"I feel like I'm going to be ready when my name makes it in the lineup for starting and when Zim's back out there, be ready to be called upon to pinch-hit. Just keeping even focus on what my role is and the job that I need to do, whatever I can do to help the team. I take everything on."