Ryan Zimmerman out for critical game with Mets (with lineups)

The Nationals will be without Ryan Zimmerman for tonight's crucial game against the Mets. Zimmerman was a late scratch for Sunday's game after experiencing continuing soreness in his left foot. He went 2-for-5 with a run scored in yesterday's 8-5 loss.

The 11-year veteran missed 40 games with plantar fasciitis in the middle of the season, but since returning on July 28, Zimmerman leads the National League with 39 RBIs. He also tops the Nats with 11 homers, 13 doubles and a .652 slugging percentage since rejoining the team.

Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three starts against the Mets this season. In his last outing on Aug. 2 at Citi Field, Zimmermann suffered a nightmare third inning, surrendering homers to Curtis Granderson, Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda in the Nats' 5-2 loss.

The Mets activated Duda (strained lower back) from the DL and the 29-year-old will start at first base tonight. Duda torched the Nats in the Mets' three-game sweep in New York July 31-Aug. 2, batting .625 (5-for-8) with three home runs, a double and five RBIs.

Mets fireballer Matt Harvey is 2-1 with a 0.98 ERA in three starts against the Nats this year. Bryce Harper is still looking for his first hit against the right-hander, going 0-for-17 with seven strikeouts and three walks in his career facing Harvey.

Update: Zimmerman is out with left oblique soreness and Mat Williams says the first baseman is day-to-day.

For the Mets:

RF Curtis Granderson
CF Yoenis Cespedes
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Lucas Duda
C Travus d'Arnaud
LF Michael Conforto
SS Wilmer Flores
RHP Matt Harvey

For the Nationals:

LF Jayson Werth
2B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
3B Yunel Escobar
1B Clint Robinson
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
CF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Jordan Zimmermann