The expectation was that Washington Nationals' third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who was scratched from last Saturday's game with "mild right shoulder inflammation," would be ready to play for tonight's series-opening game with the San Diego Padres. The 27-year-old Face of the Nats Franchise told reporters on Sunday that he fully expected to be ready to go by tonight, but when the lineups were announced this evening, Zimmerman's name was not there. Steve Lombardozzi's penciled in at third base, with Mark DeRosa (LF) hitting in Zim's traditional spot in the lineup.

According to Washington Times' reporter Amanda Comak (@AComak), who spoke to the infielder in the clubhouse before tonight's game, "Ryan Zimmerman said shoulder 'still a little sore.' It's not a structural shoulder issue, he stressed. AC joint issue, like a jammed finger.":

Zimmerman felt "100 percent" when he tested it throwing but could feel it when he made contact hitting. He's day-to-day right now. #nats

— Amanda Comak (@acomak) April 24, 2012

Zimmerman's still officially day-to-day. Here's the Nationals' lineup for tonight's game with the Padres via @NationalsPR:

Tonight's lineup: Desmond, ss; Espinosa, 2b; DeRosa, rf; Werth, cf; LaRoche, 1b; Nady, lf; Ramos, c; Lombardozzi, 3b; Gonzalez, p

— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) April 24, 2012

• GameThread up at 9:35 pm EDT. Who's staying up to watch the Nationals?