Ryan Zimmerman is back on the disabled list, and he might not return for a while.
Washington Nationals manager Matt Williams said after Wednesday’s loss to the Colorado Rockies that Zimmerman suffered a “pretty substantial” right hamstring strain Tuesday night and the team isn’t sure how long he’ll be out.
The Nationals put Zimmerman on the 15-day disabled list prior to the game after the third baseman was injured the previous evening while running to first base.
Zimmerman told reporters Wednesday afternoon that there is no timetable for his return at this point.
“It’s pretty tough,” Zimmerman said, according to the Washington Post. “Those are things that happen. There’s nothing you can really do about it. There’s no reason to pout or feel sorry for yourself. You try to be here for these guys. We’re playing good baseball, and I think we’ll continue to do that before I get back. Hopefully, I’ll get back sooner than later.”
Williams told reporters Zimmerman’s injury appears worse than the hamstring strain that kept Wilson Ramos sidelined for only the minimum 15 days earlier this season.
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The 29-year-old missed 44 games while on the DL earlier this season with a broken right thumb. The Nats are 33-19 with Zimmerman in their starting lineup this season and 22-24 without him.
The Nats recalled infielder Zach Walters from Triple-A Syracuse to replace Zimmerman on the roster. Walters, 24, appeared in 27 games for the Nats earlier this season, hitting .182. He’s batting .300 with 15 home runs in 60 games at Syracuse.
Walters got a hit off the bench Wednesday, but it’ll be Anthony Rendon back at third base in the meantime, as he did during Zimmerman’s previous DL stint. That puts Danny Espinosa back in the lineup at second base; he had been mostly a reserve since Bryce Harper’s return from the DL three weeks ago.
• Marc Lancaster can be reached at mlancaster@washingtontimes.com.
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