Williams: Zimmerman up and running

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

September 05, 2014, 12:35pm

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Nationals manager Matt Williams had positive news today on the progress for third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has been on the sidelines since July 23 with a right hamstring strain.

Williams said Zimmerman has graduated to running in his rehabilitation program.

"He ran," Williams said. "He's upping his running. He was on the Alter-G again at 90 percent body weight, which is good, and running. That's a step in the right direction. He's increasing his strength and his ability to let it go a little bit. He's still a ways away but those are positive signs."

Zimmerman has now missed 84 combined games with the hamstring and thumb injuries this season. He has played in 53 games in 2014.

So is Zimmerman close to baseball activities?

"I don't know. Don't know yet," Williams said. "He's got to pass all those hurdles, no pun intended. He's got to run. He's got to do all of his agility stuff before he can get to baseball activity. If he sidesteps one of them and gets hurt again, then we're definitely going to lose him. We have to make sure he accomplishes all the goals in front of him first and then we will get to baseball stuff."

Williams said that Zimmerman has played catch but has not swung a bat yet.