Zimmerman? Out 4-6 weeks. Wilson Ramos? Also out 4-6 weeks. Fister? Tuning up for activation. Span? Seven day disabled list. Werth? Worrisome groin strain. Early season injuries have become a familiar problem for the team many picked as preseason favorites in the National League East. The Washington Nationals are no strangers to injury. One year removed from winning 98 games, the Nationals saw their record slip to 86-76 in 2013. Injuries were a large part of the dip, as the team saw Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, and Wilson Ramos all miss extended time. Their record with all three in the lineup? 33-20, or the winning percentage of an 100-win season.
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| Ryan Zimmerman (3B) fractures his thumb in a game at Atlanta on April 12. Out 4-6 weeks. |
Early injuries in 2014 could spell trouble for a team facing a season-long fight with NL East rival Atlanta for the division crown. In a division containing improved rosters in Miami and New York, the Nationals have little margin for error while their stars get healthy.
Luckily, the Atlanta Braves have had their own trouble with injuries to start the 2014 season, having already lost pitchers Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy for the season. Yet, the Nationals have failed to capitalize in two series with the Braves so far, going 1-5 while posting a minus-16 run differential. The Nationals have handled their business elsewhere, sweeping series with the division rival Mets and Marlins. However, the team can't afford to post a record against Atlanta similar to the 6-13 record they posted in 2013.
The Nationals will next face the Braves at home on June 19. They will look to get back on track against Miami as they lead the first game of a 3-game series, 9-2, heading into the stretch.
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