Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman to begin rehab assignment Friday

Ryan Zimmerman is a career .286 hitter with 181 home runs and 678 RBI. (G Flume/Getty Images)

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will begin his rehab assignment with Class A Potomac on Friday night, according to a tweet from the team.

Zimmerman, an All-Star and Gold-Glover in 2009, was initially ruled out four to six weeks in early April after he suffered a fractured right thumb. There's no clear indication of when the team plans to activate him, but Nats manager Mike Rizzo has said previously that Zimmerman is typically quick to regain form during a rehab assignment, paving the way perhaps for his return to the lineup early next week.

Zimmerman has admitted to struggling at times playing third base due to injuries to his throwing shoulder. Upon his return, he could reportedly see time at first base or in left field, according to Thomas Boswell of The Washington Post. 

The Nats, currently 25-27 and third in the NL East, take on the Rangers (28-26) at home on Friday.

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