center fielder, but was placed on the disabled list in early May with a strained right quadriceps after playing sparingly from April 24 on. He was activated on July 23, and replaced an injured David DeJesus midway through the game in center field. On July 31, Ankiel and reliever Kyle Farnsworth were traded to the Atlanta Braves for Jesse Chavez, Gregor Blanco and Tim Collins. On October 8, in the second game of the 2010 NLDS against the San Francisco Giants, Ankiel hit his first career postseason home run into McCovey Cove off Giants reliever Ramón Ramírez in the top of the 11th inning, leading the Braves to a 5–4 win. Rick joined Barry Bonds as the only two players to hit a ball into the cove in the postseason. Speaking on television after the game, Ankiel called the home run "the pinnacle of anything I've ever done." He finished the 2010 season with a .232 batting average, 6 home runs, and 24 RBI in only 74 games. 2011 season On November 2, 2010, the Braves declined Ankiel's club option, making him a free agent. On December 20, 2010, the Washington Nationals signed him to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Ankiel played in 122 games for the Nationals in 2011, hitting .239 with 9 home runs and 37 RBIs while platooning in center field with Roger Bernadina. He had a .996 fielding percentage for the season, committing one error in 113 games in the outfield. 2012 season The Nationals re-signed Ankiel to a one-year, $1.25 million minor league deal for 2012. He began the season on the disabled list, rehabbing in the minors. Once promoted, his role was limited as a backup outfielder. In 68 games, he hit .228 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 158 at-bats. He started 37 games in center field and played 62 total games in center with a .983 fielding percentage. On July 19, Nationals closer Drew Storen was added to the roster, and Ankiel was designated for assignment by the Nationals to make room. On July 27, Ankiel was released by the Nationals. 2013 season On January 17, 2013, the Houston Astros signed Ankiel with an invite to spring training as a non-roster invitee. On March 31, Ankiel homered in the Astros' regular season opener against the Texas Rangers in Houston. He was designated for assignment on May 6 and released shortly