Hoping Zimmerman foot issue does not linger

Manager Dusty Baker's Sunday update that Ryan Zimmerman may be another two weeks from playing in a spring training game is not the news the Nationals needed to hear.

Zimmerman has been bothered by plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Various injuries have prevented the first baseman/third baseman from playing more than 95 games in each of the last two seasons. He has combined for only 156 games over the past two campaigns.

The Nationals are continuing to monitor and treat Zimmerman's foot problem, and Zimmerman is continuing his baseball workouts. The team has been easing him into spring activity.

With the Nationals losing so many starts last season to their position players, it is imperative that starters start. Zimmerman, Jayson Werth (88 games missed in 2015) and Anthony Rendon (80 games missed) all need to stay healthy for the offense to click.

Zimmerman is crucial to the lineup to protect Bryce Harper. The National League MVP is going to be pitched around more than ever, and that will happen more and more if Zimmerman is not in the lineup. Harper batting third and Zimmerman batting fourth makes a lot of sense. If you have Harper batting cleanup, you still would slot Zimmerman in the five-hole to make sure the youngster actually sees some pitches to hit.

Having Zimmerman healthy for less than 100 games will make it difficult for the Nationals to match the Mets.

Making matters worse last season was center fielder Denard Span playing in only 61 games. Ben Revere or Michael A. Taylor need to be consistent forces in the lineup in 2016 - especially Revere, if he is the leadoff guy for most of the season.

Consistency on offense cannot be achieved without a consistent starting lineup.

The Nationals must hope this extra precaution is just that for Zimmerman, and that he will be near 100 percent for the season and not have this left foot pain linger for too many games as a new season begins.

* It was Interesting to see right-hander Lucas Giolito and Harper the only Nationals in the Top 50 of Sports Illustrated's trade value column. Giolito was No. 41 and Harper No. 3. The magazine named Giolito the best pitching prospect in baseball.

The Angels' Mike Trout was No. 1 again for the fourth consecutive season.

* The Nationals are off to a 4-1 start in Grapefruit League competition. Last season, they finished 11-16. In division winning seasons, they went 15-13 in 2014 and 12-17 in 2012.