Howie Kendrick’s 15th season didn’t go as planned. The 37-year old shut down his season after a hamstring injury landed him on the injured list on two weeks ago. As the disappointing year is coming to an end, Kendrick is undecided if he will return in 2021 or retire.
Kendrick wants to go home and rehab his hamstring injury before discussing his future with his family and the Nationals, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports.
He and the Nationals have a $6.5 million mutual option for 2021. However, the Nationals could buyout Kendrick for $2.25 million.
Kendrick’s 2020 season got off to a rough start. He missed the first two weeks of summer camp as he had to quarantine after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Then a hamstring injury hampered him throughout the 60-game shortened season.
He proceeded to have his worst year season at the plate since 2016 when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kendrick hit .275/.320/.385 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 100 plate appearances over 21 games.
Kendrick last played in a game on Sept. 5 and was officially placed on the 10-day IL Sept. 10. His hamstring has yet to fully heal. Thus, Kendrick decided to shut down his season rather than returning and risking further injury.
This wasn’t the way Kendrick wanted the year to play out, especially after the postseason he had last year. He helped guide the Nationals to their first-ever World Series title, delivering one of the most epic postseason grand slams ever and claiming the 2019 NLCS MVP in the process.
Kendrick admitted that if there was any normalcy to 2020 season, this would have been his last season playing. However, now he will take some time to mull over his options about his future.
