Washington Nationals utility man Howie Kendrick will miss the rest of the season after tearing his right Achilles tendon in the first game of a doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.

The Nationals are replacing him with a rising-star teenager.

With Kendrick sidelined, the Nationals reportedly will call up top outfield prospect Juan Soto on Sunday. Soto, ranked second in the organization and 37th in the majors by MLB.com, has hit .362 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 39 games across three levels of the minors this season. The 19-year-old began the year with Class A Hagerstown and hasn’t slowed since making it all the way up to Double-A Harrisburg for his last eight games.

The Nationals have shown a willingness to give their youth a try, no matter how youthful. Last year, they called up prospect Victor Robles, who was 20. And Bryce Harper made his debut at 19 — Soto will be the first teen in MLB since Harper.

Kendrick was placed on the 10-day disabled list by the Nationals after he exited the first game as a result of the injury. He told reporters after the team’s Game 2 loss that it was a tear and he will have surgery Monday.

Kendrick delivered the news while standing on crutches and wearing a walking boot.

“I know I won’t be back this year,” he said.

–With Reuters