Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon, who has yet to play this season, was scratched from a minor-league game Saturday for the second time this week.

Anthony Rendon didn't make a scheduled start for Double-A Harrisburg on Saturday because he couldn't get loose prior to the game. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Rendon, who was diagnosed with a sprained MCL after making a diving stop in a spring training game against Atlanta on March 9, was expected to play seven innings Saturday for Double-A Harrisburg but was held out because he couldn't get loose, according to the Nationals.

He is working at third base and second base at Harrisburg in preparation to play both positions with the Nationals

Rendon missed a game Monday for Harrisburg because of fatigue and then sat out the next three games because of tightness in his side. He played five innings Friday without issue, Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters.

The Nationals had been hoping that Rendon, who finished fifth in the National League MVP voting last season after hitting .287 with 21 home runs and 83 RBIs, would be able to return by late next week.