DENVER - Manager Dusty Baker gave some insight on the plan for Ryan Zimmerman and Jose Lobaton's respective recoveries. The pair began their rehab assignments tonight with Triple-A Syracuse in Toledo.
Zimmerman is on the 15-day disabled list with a left wrist contusion, while Lobaton is on the 15-day DL with left elbow tendinitis.
"We are going to leave them at least two or three days and get some consecutive ABs," Baker said. "DH one day, play the field one day. Alternate between catching and first base and DHing. Main thing is get their legs underneath them and get some at-bats."
Baker said that right-hander Joe Ross, who is on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, is going to throw a bullpen session sometime in the next couple of days. Pitching coach Mike Maddux confirmed during batting practice that Ross will not throw the 'pen today.
Infielder Stephen Drew went through a workout on the field during batting practice. Baker gave us an update on what the Nationals hope Drew can accomplish during this rehab process as he recovers from vertigo symptoms that landed him on the 15-day DL.
"Stephen is going to try to resume baseball activities as much as he can without feeling any dizziness," Baker said. "We're hoping that that subsides. He's getting a lot of attention from our medical staff because certainly we miss him.
Baker said the Nats miss Drew's offense and his absence is causing an issue with the Nationals' third base depth.
"He's a big part of our offense and our defense, especially when we got to give (Anthony) Rendon a break," Baker said. "So we really don't have another bona fide third baseman. We're working (Wilmer) Difo out there because we're going to have to give Rendon a day off somewhere."
Baker said it is unlikely any of his regulars will get a day off in the Rockies series, because its' Coors Field and they want to get a crack at hitting in the thin air. So one scenario is to give Rendon a day off Thursday night after the team arrives in Atlanta.
"I'd like to give Rendon (a day off) - that's why I'm working Difo at third base, but nobody's off here," Baker said. "Nobody wants off here. You got to have all hands on deck when we play here."
Baker confirmed that right fielder Bryce Harper made it through the long flight after playing Sunday for the first time in eight days. He's batting cleanup in tonight's lineup.
"Bryce is fine," Baker said. "He got here early today."
Update: Zimmerman went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs, and Lobaton went 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base as Syracuse dropped Toledo 8-1. Zimmerman was the DH and Lobaton the catcher.