WASHINGTON – The Nationals placed veteran Howie Kendrick on the 10-day disabled list Saturday because of a right Achilles' tendon injury, about three hours after Kendrick was hurt in the opener of a doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kendrick took an awkward step while retreating to catch a deep fly ball to left field in the eighth inning of Washington's 4-1 loss. He winced as he threw the ball, and then went to the ground, where a trainer examined his lower right leg.
He did not put any weight on the leg and was taken off the field in a cart.
"It's a huge loss," teammate Bryce Harper said. "Not something you want to see, especially when we need him. I'm super bummed out … He's one of the best teammates I've ever played with."
Kendrick's .303 batting average leads the team, and he has steadied the Nationals' lineup in the absence of regulars Adam Eaton and Daniel Murphy. He was making just his fifth start in left field this season, having played mostly at second base in place of Murphy.
The 34-year-old Kendrick is a .291 career hitter in 13 major league seasons. The Nationals acquired him in a trade with Philadelphia last July.
Associated Press
