MILWAUKEE — The Washington Nationals hope some time off will help first baseman Ryan Zimmerman get back to being his old self again.
Zimmerman was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with plantar fasciitis, a condition that has bothered him all season and is a contributing factor to his lackluster offensive play.
“It’s pretty typical plantar fasciitis,” manager Matt Williams said Thursday before the Nationals lost 6-5 to the Milwaukee Brewers. “It’s not getting any better. Over the last three or four games, it’s just really bothering him.”
Zimmerman, 30, has 12 doubles, five home runs and 34 RBIs in 56 games but is batting just .209 with a .265 on-base percentage and is last among qualifiers at his position with a .611 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.
“Right now, it’s total rest,” Williams said, “so he’ll get off of it for a few days and not push it too hard. Let it calm down. Hopefully in 15 (days), he’s ready to go. Generally, when it’s gone, it’s gone.”
With Zimmerman sidelined, Williams turned to Clint Robinson to man first base, and Robinson hit his first career homer Thursday. The Nationals also could use Tyler Moore or Danny Espinosa at first until Zimmerman returns.
Washington filled Zimmerman’s roster spot with outfielder Matt van Dekker, who was acquired from the Mets on March 30 and has appeared in four games for the Nationals this season, going 0-for-2. He hit .234 while playing 47 games for Triple-A Syracuse.