Zimmerman could lose time to oblique injury

WASHINGTON -- Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman remains out of the lineup because of a left oblique injury. Although he is listed as day to day, two sources expected Zimmerman to miss a significant amount of time because of the injury.

Zimmerman hurt the oblique Saturday against the Braves, according to the sources. The Nationals did not confirm the report. He took the day off Sunday and played with the injury Monday against the Mets and went 2-for-5.

Zimmerman has been Washington's hottest hitter. Entering Wednesday, Zimmerman was 22-for-60 (.367) with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in his last 15 games. Clint Robinson played first base in his absence on Wednesday.

Zimmerman may not be the only player to miss a significant amount of time. Center fielder Michael Taylor is dealing with a swollen right knee, the same knee he hurt after crashing into the wall on Aug. 27 against the Padres. The injury has limited Taylor's range of motion.

Video: SD@WSH: Taylor leaves game after crashing into wall

Manager Matt Williams said Taylor's knee is structurally OK. Since that day when he hurt the knee against the Padres, the swelling would go down, and then when he played on it, the swelling would come back.

"Michael's knee is really swollen," Williams said. "It's difficult for him to move today. I don't think it's on any particular [play recently], the knee just blows up. It's extremely swollen today. We are going to try to get it under control today."

Worth noting
Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar was not in Wednesday's starting lineup against the Mets against because of a 103-degree temperature.