Nationals reinstate Ryan Zimmerman and Jose Lobaton; option A.J. Cole and Pedro Severino to AAA

In three rehab starts with the Syracuse Chiefs, Ryan Zimmerman, who was working his way back from a bone bruise to his left wrist caused by a hit-by-pitch, went 6 for 12 with a triple and a home run (in his first at bat), a walk and three Ks.

Jose Lobaton, who was in Syracuse as well, as he recovered from tendonitis in his left elbow, was 5 for 14 in his three-game stint.

Multiple reports from Atlanta, GA on Thursday confirmed that both Zimmerman and Lobaton had arrived at Turner Field in anticipation of the return to the majors, but they weren’t officially reinstated until this afternoon.

Zimmerman talked to @ChiefsRadio’s Eric Gallanty after his first rehab game about what he needed to do to prepare for his return.

“I think it’s more just playing a few games,” Zimmerman said. “You don’t want to go up there kind of cold turkey after not playing in a game for a couple weeks.

“You never know, it’s just getting your feet under you a little bit.”

This afternoon, the Nationals reinstated both Zimmerman and Lobaton from the Disabled List, optioning catcher Pedro Severino and pitcher A.J. Cole back to Triple-A Syracuse to make room on the major league roster.

Dusty Baker talked after last night’s game about the importance of getting Zimmerman back in the lineup.

“I’ve got to get Zim right,” Baker said, “because Zim, man, he can carry you for a month or six weeks.

“I encouraged him to start his season all over from tomorrow and forget whatever has happened and transpired in the past.

“And so he’s going to come up big, I mean, everybody here is going to come up big.”

Through 80 games and 335 plate appearances this season, Zimmerman has put up a .222/.284/.394 line with 14 doubles and 12 HRs.

Lobaton, who’s been out of action in the majors since July 19th, has a .194/.301/.361 line with a double, triple and three home runs in 27 games and 83 PAs.