DENVER -- First baseman Ryan Zimmerman and catcher Jose Lobaton began Minor League rehab assignments Monday night with Triple-A Syracuse. Nationals manager Dusty Baker said they would each need a few days of at-bats before they would be ready to rejoin the club.
"The main thing is to get their legs underneath them and get some at-bats," Baker said.
During the next few days, Zimmerman and Lobaton are expected to alternate as the designated hitter while the other gets some reps in the field.
Zimmerman, who is recovering from a left wrist contusion, served as the designated hitter Monday night and belted the second pitch he saw for a home run.