Zimmerman scratched from lineup, Tracy to play third

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

May 22, 2012, 2:34pm

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PHILADELPHIA - Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has been scratched from today's Nationals lineup less than an hour before first pitch. When it rains, it pours. The scratch was a "manager's decision", according to a Nationals spokesman, who said that Zimmerman will be available to pinch hit. Chad Tracy will take Zimmerman's place in the lineup straight up, meaning he'll play third and hit third. This is the second time this year a Nats player has scratched because of a "manager's decision". The first time, it turned out Jayson Werth had been suffering from a bad migrane. Zimmerman has battled right shoulder inflammation this season, an injury which caused him to miss 13 games from late-April to early-May. The All-Star third baseman was activated off the disabled list on May 8 and has played in every game since then. He's hitting .248 with two home runs and 12 RBIs this season. Here's the new Nats lineup: LF Steve Lombardozzi RF Bryce Harper 3B Chad Tracy 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa CF Rick Ankiel C Jesus Flores P Jordan Zimmermann