Nationals top prospect Anthony Rendon has been diagnosed with a partial fracture of his left ankle. The No. 6 pick in the 2011 draft, widely considered the best hitter available after three brilliant years at Rice University, was injured on April 7 while playing for the single-A Potomac Nationals. It was just his second pro game.
“The x-rays came in and he’s got a partial fracture of his ankle,” Washington general manager Mike Rizzo said. “He’s in a boot, he’s immobilized and he’s going to see a foot and ankle specialist this week.”
That will happen on Friday. Rizzo said the injury is not believed to be season-ending, though there’s no specific timetable yet for a return. Because it’s a slight fracture, it’s likely Rendon will heal quicker than even a bad ankle sprain. Still, it’s a concern for an elite talent who dropped in the draft precisely because of previous health issues.
Rendon, 21, was injured in the fourth inning of a game at Lynchburg when the ankle gave out on him as he rounded third base attempting to score on a base hit. He tore ligaments in his right ankle in 2009 and the next summer broke that same ankle. Rendon also missed time as a junior at Rice with a shoulder injury.
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