Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, on the disabled list with a hamstring strain, reportedly has a Grade 3 strain, which could mean significant time missed.
Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has already been on the disabled list for a week, but he could be sidelined for much longer. Zimmerman reportedly has a Grade 3 strain of his right hamstring, two baseball sources told William Ladson of MLB.com.
A Grade 3 strain is the most severe type of strain, in most cases involving a significant if not total tear of the hamstring. As Ladson noted, Zimmerman "could be out a while."
The Nationals have not confirmed the severity of the injury to Zimmerman.
Zimmerman, 29, is hitting .282/.345/.456 with 19 doubles and five home runs in 53 games in 2014, his 10th major league season. He already missed 44 games earlier this season with a broken right thumb.
The Nationals, at 57-47, are a half-game ahead of the Braves in first place in the National League East. They have relied on second-year man Anthony Rendon at third base in Zimmerman's absence. Rendon is hitting .280/.339/.464 with 13 home runs and 26 doubles this season, and has started 74 games at the hot corner.
Rendon was doing so well that for a brief period when Zimmerman was healthy he moved to left field, starting 26 games at the position, before ultimately moving back to third and Rendon shifting to second base.