Zimmerman making progress from oblique injury

PHILADELPHIA -- Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman was not in the lineup for the sixth consecutive game on Wednesday against the Phillies because of a left oblique injury. However, manager Matt Williams said Zimmerman is doing abdominal exercises, but can't do anything with his oblique.

"He is doing some straight on [abdominal] work, some cardio to make sure that is not giving him an issue," Williams said. "He still has some issues when he coughs or if he rotates. So, no swinging yet. He is trying everything he can to get back and get in the lineup for us."

Zimmerman hurt the oblique Sept. 5 against the Braves. He took the day off the next day and played with the injury last Monday against the Mets and went 2-for-5.

Before the injury, Zimmerman had been Washington's hottest hitter. Entering Monday, Zimmerman was 22-for-60 (.367) with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in his last 15 games. Clint Robinson and Tyler Moore have played first base in his absence.