Ryan Zimmerman hits the DL, Nats promote top prospect Anthony Rendon
Washington's Ryan Zimmerman was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring issue on Saturday, prompting the team to call up 22-year-old Anthony Rendon as a placeholder. Zimmerman's injury isn't believed to be severe — "Doctors said he needs to rest for 10 days," per manager Davey Johnson — so his fantasy investors shouldn't panic. Instead, let's simply kick the tires on Rendon, one of the game's more interesting young prospects.
Rendon, you might recall, had a terrific spring for the Nats, going 12-for-32 with four doubles, four homers and 11 RBIs. He's hit .292/.462/.500 over his first 14 games at Double-A Harrisburg, homering twice and drawing 14 walks. Rendon was the sixth overall pick in the 2011 MLB draft, so the expectations here aren't modest. You'll like Rendon's swing (take a look), you'll like his on-base skills. He's expected to bat sixth for the Nats in his big league debut on Sunday, facing Dillon Gee. As a short-term add, this is a player of interest.
When Zimmerman makes his way back from the DL, however, Rendon will almost certainly be shipped back to the minors. Thus, I can't really recommend that you engage in any bidding wars to acquire him, regardless of your league format. (Consider Luis Jimenez as a low-cost alternative in mixers. He's off to a 10-for-23 start for LA, and the minor league stats are appealing). Rendon is blocked at the major league level when the Nats are at full strength. He's seen time defensively at second base and short this season, but third is his primary position. That's the spot he'll occupy for Washington in the weeks ahead, while Zim is sidelined. Rendon is owned in just 13 percent of Yahoo! leagues. If the price is right, he's an acceptable fantasy temp.
