Ryan Zimmerman's possible move from third to first base could prompt the Washington Nationals to consider their options on current first baseman Adam LaRoche, according to several baseball reports.

In a story by Rant Sports MLB analyst Brad Berreman, the future of LaRoche is put in question as the Nationals look to assign Zimmerman to first base when he comes back from a thumb injury.

It has been a punishing start for Zimmerman this season, as the third baseman endured shoulder pains as a result of throwing long balls across the diamonds before fracturing his thumb in the game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

According to Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington, Zimmerman is expected to miss four to six weeks because of the injury. The Nats will lean on Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa to offset Zimmerman's absence. However, the development served as a big blow for Washington, who just lost one of the most efficient hitters in the league so far this season. Zimmerman is hitting 355/.382/.613 line in nine games.

Baseball analysts believed Zimmerman's health will be a major concern for the Nationals moving forward. The slugger's contract will expire in 2019 and it's up for the Nats to put him in position where he can contribute consistently in a long run.

LaRoche On The Move

Washington will have to make a big decision upon Zimmerman's return from injury. LaRoche is currently the team's first baseman, but Zimmerman cannot endure the strenuous job at third base any longer.

Berreman believed LaRoche will likely be moved before the trade deadline to clear the competition at first base. In addition, the Nationals can get solid assets in exchange for trading LaRoche, who is batting .311 with 3 home runs and 10 RBIs this season.