Nationals' Anthony Rendon making progress with agility drills

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon took a positive step forward in his recovery from an MCL sprain in his left knee. He did some side-to-side agility drills, along with some change of direction workouts. His next step will be modified groundball work, manager Matt Williams told reporters, according to MASN.

"Yesterday, he did a little bit of side-to-side movement, which has been the issue," Williams said. "He's been running straight. He'll start some modified groundball activity, which is just making sure that he's getting into the position he needs too without irritating the area. Yesterday, he did some figure eight stuff where he has to change some direction, which is a good step. We'll evaluate that and go from there.

"The more he can tolerate in that regard, the better. And the more stuff he can do to get into baseball shape, ultimately that's what's most important. It's one of those spots where if he does go side to side or twists on it, it can irritate it. So we want to stay away from that."