SAN DIEGO -- Ryan Zimmerman went through a full pregame routine prior to Monday night's game against the Padres, taking grounders at first base and batting practice on the field to test his sore left side. That injury kept him out of the starting lineup for a third consecutive game, but Zimmerman felt much better than he had the previous few days.
The Nationals are playing with a four-man bench Monday, so they expect Zimmerman to be available to pinch-hit. And if all goes well from his pregame session, he could return to the starting lineup on Tuesday.