WASHINGTON -- Nationals manager Dave Martinez wanted to do something special.

Two weeks had passed since the Nats opened Summer Camp, and Juan Soto, Howie Kendrick and Luis Garcia (the club's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline) had not been cleared to participate until Thursday. The team was excited for the trio to be back, and Martinez felt they should know it.

So, Martinez came up with an idea of how to greet them, one that would enthusiastically relay his sentiments while also following social-distancing guidelines. Martinez arranged for their photos, along with the words, “Welcome back,” to be displayed on television screens inside the Nats' clubhouse when they made their returns.

“I want them to feel welcome,” Martinez said. “And I want the guys to know they’re coming to join us to play these games in difficult times in life, and they’re ready.”

Garcia, Kendrick and Soto were among a group of players who had a delayed start to camp ahead of Opening Day on July 23. Fernando Abad and No. 4 prospect Wil Crowe have not been cleared to report to Nats Park. Relievers Roenis Elías and Wander Suero were placed on the injured list on Monday. Joan Adon and Steven Fuentes, the Nats’ Nos. 16 and 24 prospects, respectively, were cleared to go to the alternate training site in Fredericksburg, Va., Martinez announced Thursday.

Being at home was “really tough” for Soto. He tried to keep his mind off the fact he wasn’t with his teammates, but seeing players around MLB participating in workouts and scrimmages made him want to be a part of the game. So when he walked through the clubhouse doors for the first time this summer, the message resonated.

“It was nice,” Soto said. “I just feel back at home, back with my team, and we’re the world champions.”

Martinez quickly incorporated all three players into the starting lineups in Thursday’s intrasquad scrimmage. Kendrick singled into center field off Patrick Corbin in his first plate appearance, while Soto hit a line drive into left field against Ryne Harper.

“It was nice to see the middle of my lineup out there,” Martinez said. “All of a sudden, the wheels started spinning about lineups and things. You take two of those guys -- Juan’s an exciting young player, but a really good young hitter. Take Howie, who is just a professional hitter. He just goes up there and hits a bullet to center field his first at-bat. Pretty impressive. You put those two guys in our lineup, they can make things happen. So I’m excited about that.”

Having Kendrick and Soto available gives the Nationals an extra punch. Kendrick paced Washington last season with a .344 batting average. He saved his most memorable moments of the year for the postseason, when his heroics included a 10th-inning grand slam in Game 5 of the National League Division series against the Dodgers and a go-ahead home run in Game 7 of the World Series vs. the Astros. Kendrick is a candidate to share first base and designated hitter duties in 2020.

The 21-year-old Soto was tied for the most home runs (34) on the team last season, and then went on a tear with five homers in the postseason. He slashed .282/.401/.548 and was an NL Gold Glove Award finalist in left field. Soto’s continued development is a key to the Nats’ future success.

“Right now, my swing feels really good,” Soto said. “I was seeing the ball really well today in the games, and I think we’re going to be good. The only thing is, just try to keep my body in shape.”

The Nationals open the 2020 season in one week against the Yankees. It is uncertain who among the players not currently in camp could be cleared by then. When they are, Martinez looks forward to greeting them in the same way.

“When he gets here,” Martinez said when asked about Robles, “I’ll put a nice picture of him on the TV welcoming him back.”