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Zimmerman sits with sore right shoulder

WASHINGTON -- Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman did not start Tuesday's game against the D-backs because of a sore right shoulder. He will be available to pinch-hit if needed, according to manager Davey Johnson. Chad Tracy received the start at third and batted sixth.

Zimmerman started having discomfort in the shoulder dating back to last week and was looking for a couple of days off.

"He is taking some medication to calm it down," Johnson said. "It's just normal. Nothing Earth-shattering."

Zimmerman has had shoulder problems dating back to last year and had surgery to fix the AC joint inside the shoulder after the season ended.

Zimmerman said recently he expects the shoulder to be in rehab mode for the rest of the season, but it will not keep him out of the lineup. Zimmerman's surgery on the joint was much more serious than anyone expected. That's why he is having problems throwing the baseball.

Zimmerman was not available for comment before the game against Arizona.

Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the time. He also could be found on Twitter @WashingNats.
Read More: Washington Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman