Ryan Zimmerman shut down for remainder of season
With only a week left in the regular season and the Nationals officially out of playoff contention, Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman won't be rushed to return to the field.
Manager Matt Williams told reporters Tuesday the Zimmerman, who has been dealing with an oblique strain, is done for the season.
"At this point, to push him is not smart," Williams said, per CSN Mid-Atlantic, of Zimmerman, who last played for the Nats on Sept. 7. "He'll continue to strengthen, start his offseason program and make sure he's on that path and getting going again for next spring. But [a return this week] doesn't look likely."
In addition to his oblique injury, Zimmerman also dealt with plantar fasciitis throughout the season, which hampered his success.
In 95 games this season, the 31-year-old first baseman hit .249 with a .308 on-base percentage, both of which are career lows.
Nonetheless, he hit 16 home runs with 73 RBI, and was riding an 11-game hit streak in which he was 20 for 46 (.435) with six home runs and 18 RBI before he suffered his oblique injury.
"You look at what it could be," Williams said. "I know he does. And he gets frustrated by it. … I know he wants to play a full season. And boy, if he can do that, it can be pretty impressive. That's his outlook, and he's looking forward to starting that process."
