Washington Nationals activate Ryan Zimmerman, play him in LF

The Washington Nationals on Saturday activated Ryan Zimmerman from the 15-day disabled list and he will bat sixth and play left field Saturday night when the Nats visit the Miami Marlins.

Zimmerman has been out since July 22 with a severe straight of his right hamstring.

Nats Insider reported Zimmerman’s activation. He will bat sixth Saturday night, the lowest he’s been in Washington’s batting order since he was a rookie in 2006.

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The Nationals clinched the National League East crown on Tuesday. Getting Zimmerman more than a week’s worth of game action before the postseason could be big for Washington.

For the Nationals, it is their second division title in three years and just the franchise’s third postseason berth since joining the National League as the Montreal Expos in 1969.

They are one of just two MLB franchises—the Seattle Mariners are the other—to never play in a World Series.

Zimmerman, who has also struggled with a shoulder injury that limits his throwing arm, is hitting .282/.345/.456 in 53 games this season, with 19 doubles, five homers and 36 RBI. He was an All-Star in 2009, the same year he was awarded a Gold Glove at third base.

He was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft by Washington after playing at the University of Virginia.

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