Nationals lose Kendrick for season to ruptured Achilles tendon

Washington Nationals outfielder Howie Kendrick, who had to be carted off the field Saturday afternoon, suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon and will undergo surgery to repair it on Monday, according to Jamal Collier of MLB.com.

Kendrick told MASN's Mark Zuckerman that the injury will end his 2018 season.

Normally a second baseman, Kendrick was filling in at left field when he suffered the Achilles injury. He tweaked his ankle while making a catch and collapsed after the relay throw into the infield during the eighth inning.

Video courtesy: MLB.com

In the second game of the doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Andrew Stevenson started in left field while Wilmer Difo started at second base. In all likelihood, the 26-year-old Difo will be the starting second baseman going forward, with Daniel Murphy still sidelined, though, he's reportedly close to his rehab assignment.

In the meantime, 19-year-old outfield prospect Juan Soto has reportedly been promoted for Sunday's finale against the Dodgers. Soto has been white-hot at the dish, earning four promotions this season since beginning 2018 in Single-A.