Owners of the best record in the National League, the red-hot Washington Nationals are looking to get their Gold Glove third baseman back in time for the postseason.
Ryan Zimmerman participated in a full workout Monday and will begin playing in simulated games with hopes of returning to the Nationals in time for the final week of the regular season, according to Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington.
The 29-year-old hasn't played since July 22 after suffering a right hamstring strain that forced him to the disabled list.
It's been an unusual season for the 10-year veteran to say the least. Diagnosed with a degenerative right shoulder in April, Zimmerman missed 44 games after fracturing his right thumb weeks later, only to return to play left field for the first time in his career.
With Anthony Rendon taking over at third base, Nationals manager Matt Williams told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he could use Zimmerman at first, third and left field.
In 53 games this season, Zimmerman is hitting .282/.345/.456 with five home runs, 19 doubles and 36 RBI.