Washington Nationals Injury Updates: Ryan Zimmerman, Adam LaRoche Both Aim For Tuesday Return.

As the Washington Nationals prepare for tonight's series finale with the Philadelphia Phillies, there are reports coming out about two of the Nats' injured players, both of whom are aiming to return to the lineup on Tuesday night when the Nationals travel to Pittsburgh to start a three-game series with the Pirates. Ryan Zimmerman, who's been dealing with right shoulder inflammation and has been on the shelf since April 20th, took BP in the batting cage according to Washington Times' writer Amanda Comak and will take BP on the field tonight. Here's the Washington Times' writer's Tweeted report:

Ryan Zimmerman took regular BP in the cage and is planning to hit on the field with the team, too. On track to return Tuesday. #nats

— Amanda Comak (@acomak) May 6, 2012

Nats' first baseman Adam LaRoche...

Nats' first baseman Adam LaRoche who's been one of the Nationals' few consistent producers offensively this year, posting a .311/.392/.511 line with six doubles and four home runs in 24 games and 102 plate appearances, has been out of the lineup since May 2nd when he suffered an injury to his right oblique while making a diving play at first base in the series with Arizona. Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore reported on Twitter tonight that the left-handed hitting and throwing 32-year-old infielder had an MRI on his injured oblique and receieved good news this afternoon:

Adam LaRoche had an MRI today on his right oblique that revealed a bruise, not a strain. That's very good news. He swung, hopes for Tuesday.

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) May 6, 2012

Neither player will be back for tonight's game with Philadelphia, but the Nationals' starting third and first baseman appear to be close to returning to the lineup according to tonight's report.