WASHINGTON -- Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman was out of the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets and is unavailable because of soreness. He is listed as day to day.
Manager Dusty Baker and general manager Mike Rizzo wouldn't say where the soreness was located. While Rizzo said he had "minimal level of concern" when it comes to the injury, Baker didn't rule out Zimmerman missing the entire four-game series against the Mets.
Zimmerman has had a frustrating first half, hitting .221 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs. It seemed like he may have been getting his swing together against the Brewers on Wednesday afternoon, when Zimmerman went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.
"He felt sore on the swing yesterday, so he is day to day. We will evaluate tomorrow," Baker said. "It's real tough. It's real tough. It felt like he was getting going. We have to deal with it -- it is what it is."
With Zimmerman out, the Nationals are short on the bench. Clint Robinson started at first base, and that means the Nationals only have three players available on the bench for Thursday's game. Baker indicated that the Nationals may have to call up a position player from Triple-A Syracuse before Friday's game against the Mets.