Clubhouse reactions to Zimmermann's injury and Nats' 6-2 loss

PHILADELPHIA - Tonight's 6-2 loss to the Phillies stings because the Nationals missed an opportunity to move back to a game ahead of the Braves in the National League East. But the bigger issue at this point is the injury to Jordan Zimmermann. Zimmermann and Matt Williams indicated after the game that they're fairly confident that the biceps cramp that Zimmermann felt tonight isn't an indication that there is any structural issue with the right-hander's elbow or shoulder, but an MRI tomorrow will reveal the severity of the injury. Afterwards, Zimmermann's teammates reacted to their starter leaving the game in the fourth inning, as well as the loss to the Phillies: Craig Stammen On his thoughts after getting told he was entering the game in the fourth with Zimmermann exiting: "I know he's not going to come out of the game unless he's probably hurting really bad. I guess that's in the back of your head. But you got to go to work." On if he worries about Zimmermann's health as the game goes on: "You might worry about it right at the beginning. After that, you're worried about getting guys out." On Zimmermann's importance to the Nationals: "If he can't pitch for a while, it's a big deal. He's been our most consistent (starter). He's our All-Star. We've got guys that hopefully would be able to come and up replace him and do just as good of a job." Wilson Ramos On his thoughts when Zimmermann called for the trainer: "It was very bad. He's one of the best pitchers on the team. Hopefully nothing bad with him. He was throwing good. He just felt something in his bicep. Hopefully nothing bad." On if anything looked off with Zimmermann prior to the fourth: "No. He was throwing good. They were good pitches. That happens. Nobody's perfect. For me, he was throwing good. But he felt something." On if he thought it was serious: "I go to the mound and I just want to hear about what he felt. After he said he felt something in his biceps, I say, maybe it's not bad. If he say something with his elbow, it's not good. Hopefully nothing bad." Matt Williams On how Zimmermann threw tonight: "OK. A lot of first-pitch fastballs. Pounding the strikes, but they got on a couple of first-pitch fastballs tonight with guys in scoring position. Then Jimmy (Rollins) hit the two-run homer on a first-pitch heater. They're a good fastball hitting club." On Bryce Harper's homer: "Good. He was real aggressive tonight. Hit the first-pitch curveball first time up. Wants to swing, certainly, and really aggressive tonight. But he got the head out on that fastball. Hopefully it's a sign of good things tonight." On Phillies starter A.J. Burnett: "He's been tough on us here. Beat us twice here. We got him at home. The ball moves. He's pretty good. He's got an idea what he wants to do and how he wants to attack hitters. And he had all of them working tonight."