Nationals activate infielder Anthony Rendon from DL

PITTSBURGH (AP) Anthony Rendon was activated from the disabled list by the Washington Nationals and in the starting lineup at second base Saturday night against Pittsburgh.

The infielder missed 25 games with a strained left quadriceps. In six games on a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac, he went 8 for 17 with three walks.

''I feel like I'm swinging the bat well and have my timing at the plate, which is what I wanted to accomplish down there,'' Rendon said. ''I feel good.''

The NL East leaders optioned rookie right-hander Abel de los Santos to Double-A Harrisburg. He made two relief appearances and allowed one run in 1 2-3 innings.

Two other Nationals starters are also on rehab assignments, left fielder Jayson Werth (fractured left wrist) at Triple-A Syracuse and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (plantar fasciitis in left foot) at Double-A Harrisburg.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said both are close to being activated.