Friday, July 12, 2013

Should Zimmermann skip All-Star Game?

USA Today Sports Images
The suggestion appeared to come out of the blue. Jordan Zimmermann, after another quality start last night in the Nationals' 3-1 loss to the Phillies, told reporters there's a chance he will skip Tuesday's All-Star Game to let his lingering stiff neck have more time to heal before the second half of the season begins.

Seriously? One of baseball's best pitchers, who has shown outward signs of being injured, might ask out of his first All-Star Game appearance because of a stiff neck?

Yes.

Before vilifying Zimmermann, though, let's get our facts straight. The right-hander has indeed been dealing with a lingering neck injury for nearly two months. Davey Johnson has mentioned it more than once following his starts, and Zimmermann himself had acknowledged it prior to last night's game in Philadelphia.

Has it negatively affected his pitching performance? On the surface, it certainly doesn't seem like it. Zimmermann has put together some absolutely dominant starts over the last month, including an eight-inning, 112-pitch gem against the Rockies on June 20.

But Johnson has been mindful of the ailment, and on a few occasions hasn't let his young ace go as deep into games as he might normally have, including last night's 79-pitch effort.

If anything, the Nationals seem to be taking precautionary measures with Zimmermann's neck more than reactionary measures. And now the right-hander himself seems to be agreeing with that course of action.

"I'd rather be healthy for the second half than pitch in [the All-Star Game]," Zimmermann told reporters last night. "I'd like to pitch in it, but I'm not going to go up there and pitch an inning and have to battle in the second half."

In some ways, this sounds awfully familiar to Ian Desmond's predicament one year ago. The shortstop was on fire in early July when he earned his first career All-Star selection, then surprisingly pulled out of the game because of a lingering oblique strain.

At the time, people questioned how seriously Desmond could have been hurt given how well he was playing through this injury. Then he landed on the disabled list shortly after the All-Star break and missed a month. Suddenly, the cautious route didn't seem like an overreaction.

We don't know whether Zimmermann's neck will become more of a concern over the season's second half, but both he and the club appear to have at least some concern about it. And he's right to declare the rest of this season is more important than one inning in an exhibition game, no matter how much attention that exhibition game gets.

It won't necessarily look good, but Zimmermann would be justified in skipping the All-Star Game.

73 comments:

A DC Wonk said...

I.e.: my team is more important that the ASG

I think that looks perfectly fine.

Tcostant said...

No he shouldn't. I think that there should be a rule that if your picked for the A''-Star game and don't go; you can't play the next two games after the break.

I had when guys bow out because of "injury" and they are starting the next game after the break.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Like Desi last year not playing in the ASG, my respect level for JZim just went up even more.

NatsLady said...

Cargo pulled out of the home run derby for a similar reason (minor injury) though he will play in the ASG. I hope it's not necessary for JZ to go on the DL just to prove he's hurting.

NatsLady said...

Stras can go in his place. It's a shame Stras wasn't picked, probably because of his W/L record--which is not his fault!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Tcostant, we all know of guys that skip the ASG for phanton injuries. That clearly isn't the case with JZim. I'm surprised you feel that way considering Nats fans have known for a while about JZim's neck.

NatsLady said...

This is JZ's first All-Star Game, a chance to showcase himself. He is a possible candidate for a Cy Young--which is not just stats, people actually vote and consider "intangibles." JZimm is not skipping the All-Star game unless he has a very good reason.

Tcostant said...

I don't buy it. If you can play after the break, you should play in the game if picked.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Well said NatsLady!

Holden Baroque said...

It's a spring training game held in the middle of the season. Not even that, actually.

If Znn begged off of filming a promo commercial for the Nats because of a stiff neck, what's that to me? This is a commercial for MLB, and they have every right to do a commercial, but it's not like he's skipping out on services on a holy day, or his mom's funeral.

Holden Baroque said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Depot Master said...

I am concerned that with enough of these guys begging off there will be less interest in picking Nats for the game moving forward.

I really liked Desmond's answers about the Allstar game and his tee time. Talked about how he is proud to have the W on his chest.

I miss Michael Morse's influence. Span may be a plus defender, but Morse's goofiness would have helped a very tense offense. If we can't get Morse back, find a lefty with that level of fun. It seems Rendon brings some of that but he's a rookie.

I think if they simply bring the intensity level down a bit, and relax, they'll do better in the second half. If it doesn't cost a bunch to get what's left of Michael Morse this year, or to find a similar personality in the trade market, I really don't care that much how well they perform. Get an extra hitting instructor that makes everyone crack a smile. Whatever works.

Holden Baroque said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Coolhandbane (formally Bob Saget) said...

I believe if Zimmy has any injury that is bothering him, he should get the chance to rest during the all star break. He will be better once he comes back. Odds are he will pitch game 3 of the dodger series. This will give him plenty of rest.

Holden Baroque said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Alphabet Soup Erik said...

Zimmermann should play in the All-Star game if possible...this is a great experience for the players and fans, and he may never get back. I would rather have him skip a start for the Nats than skip the All-Star game. The Nats are fighting for the 2nd Wild Card (at best), and would have to go 49-21 to win 96 games and beat out the Braves. Harold Reynolds talked about how poorly the Braves have played for most of the season last night, and really makes him (and me) think this team could run away and win the division by 15 games when they start to play well. One extra start from Zimmermann is not going to make a difference on a team that is routinely dominated by inferior pitching.

NatsLady said...

No Blue for You

Holden Baroque said...

Well, the Nats haven't exactly been playing over their heads up to this point, either. Anybody could get hot, anybody could continue to limp along. I'd put up $20 right now that the Braves won't win 96, either.

Holden Baroque said...

Unless, by "this team" you and Harold meant the Nats, then nevermind.

alexva said...

Morse's goofiness would have helped a very tense offense

can Martin Short hit lefties?

natsfan1a said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Holden Baroque said...

But since Ray was talking about consistency, it reminded me of something I'd read last year:

Does Consistent Play Help Teams Win?


Turns out, being inconsistent, at least in runs allowed, has an upside.

natsfan1a said...

(quote repair post)

Speaking of vilifying, and of the All-Star game, and of Desi, loved this passage from a Comak piece about his candicacy for the game:

But while Desmond came up short in the fans' final bid to get him named to a second consecutive All-Star team, the shortstop was overwhelmed by the support he got in the five-day voting process.

"It’s been awhile, but our fan-player relationship from early on in my career wasn’t very good," Desmond said. "I obviously was young and was still learning the game and I was going through some stuff defensively and offensively. And times weren't really that easy.

"A majority of fans were over me. They were ready to get me out of here. They wanted to trade me, all this other stuff. But there were a select group of people who supported me. I worked hard everyday, I just relied more on the people who supported me, deflected the people who were against me, and I think I'm obviously fortunate that I've been blessed. I was able to turn things around in my career and in my life."

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jul/11/freddie-freeman-wins-fan-voting-ian-desmonds-all-s/#ixzz2YqlzzbBl

Well said, young man. Well said. (And atta way, JaneB and Unk. :-))

RaleighNat said...

I hadn't thought about it but Depot may be on to something... do the guys seem to be having any fun? They do seem tense and serious and are lacking last year's energy. Figuring out how to address that should be a focus.

alexva said...

if you think about it, ever since Teddy won that race it's been all downhill

NatsLady said...

I wonder why we got Scott Hairston and not this guy? Too expensive?

Alex Rios

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130710&content_id=53303428&c_id=mlb

alexva said...

Rios is locked up through 2014 with a club option for 2015, so Sox GM Rick Hahn will ask for a significant haul

per MLB trade rumors

NatsLady said...

Pete (F'in) Kozma is 0-24 and hitting .136/.164./.169 since June 14...

Just thought you'd like to know. He's starting at SS today.

NatsLady said...

alexva, yeah, that's what I thought--basically, too expensive in terms of prospects. Not a bench player, either.

Doc said...

I'll be tuning in when Harps goes into the box for the HR competition.

But really, this ASG is not real baseball. It's just a fun time for the players and fans. Most of it is just MLB promotional baloney.

The Bulldog, like Desi last year, knows what real baseball is, and we should respect that, period!

JD said...


NL,

They are not getting any prospects back for Rios with that contract unless they agree to eat a substantial portion of the contract.

Section 222 said...

Far from vilifying JZnn if he skips it, I'd admire him. An ASG appearance does nothing for the team. It's all about the player. If JZnn feels he needs to skip it for the good of the team, then he should be applauded and supported. Would that other players with injuries (cough, Espi, cough) thought about their team rather than themselves.

I wanted to thank Eric and Sofa for their advice on embedding links. I figured out the problem. Not surprisingly, it was "user error." :-)

Faraz Shaikh said...

Yes.

some FG reading: http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/five-prospects-to-avoid/

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

My theory if he wants rest for the neck fine. Go tip your hat and don't pitch and let someone else pitch.

Anonymous said...

It doesn't bother me if Z-nn doesn't pitch in that glorified exhibition game. Inter league play has ruined the specialness of the game, which used to provide the only opportunity to watch AL and NL players face off until the World Series. Rest up, Jordan, and don't worry about Bud's little meaningless carnival show.

Section 222 said...

Everyone knows it's not exactly a meaningless game, right?

That's still not a reason for JZnn to pitch if he feels it's better to rest.

Rabbit34 said...

This is a lot to do over nothing. Rest up and kick butt in the second half. The all-star circus is just there for the money. So, Zimm should skip it.

NatsLady said...

Injury Daze

Trying Sofa's thing...

NatsLady said...

FS, boy, not a good report on Matt Purke. Thanks for sharing, I don't always get to the fantasy stuff but it can be interesting.

Holden Baroque said...

NL, you got it!

Holden Baroque said...

I wanted to thank Eric and Sofa for their advice on embedding links. I figured out the problem. Not surprisingly, it was "user error."

That's AKA "a faulty component in the chair-keyboard interface module."

sjm308 said...

Definitely miss if you are hurting. Can't believe I read on here that some think the ASG is more important than a regular season game. Doubt if they feel that way if we finish 1 game back. I believe the fact that he was picked would mean a great deal and like Manassas Fan mentioned, he should get to go and stand on the 3rd baseline and be introduced. He won't be the only player who has been picked and chooses not to play. I will absolutely gain even more respect for this young man if he puts the team ahead of his own personal accomplishments.

Go Nats!

jeeves said...

And Jeeves, natsfan. I stuck up for Desi from the get go. Got vilified for doing so. Also stuck up for Detwiler when few others did.

sjm308 said...

I might be a total suck up but there are very few of our players that I have ever wanted sent down, released traded etc. I was fed up with Stairs, and Nyjer wore out his welcome but honestly that is about it. I gave Espinosa more then enough rope and while I did think it was time to send him to the minors, he is not someone I want to discard. I think he comes back and either helps us on the field or brings us a decent return.

On this roster right now, Tracy seems to be outclassed but I don't see another alternative. I will also be intrigued with what happens when Mattheus is ready. I am guessing it will be Abad but that puts Davey back in the same situation as early in the year with just one lefty in the pen.

Holden Baroque said...

Vilified? Just in here?
Hah!
You were LUCKY!

I had a full-page ad taken out in the NY Times asserting I was under-employed, overpaid, beside myself, and internally inconsistent; that I was unfaithful to barnyard animals; that I was a nihilist, a recidivist, and a serial philatelist; that I tested positive for chronic boldface; and that I was a bad fan. And then they made me read all the game threads from losing efforts, consecutively!

David Proctor said...

About guys not having fun: it depends. Guys look like they're having fun when they're winning. They sure looked to be having fun when Ryan hit that Grand Slam last week. When we win, we have fun. When we lose, we don't. I wouldn't read too much into it.

Secret wasian man said...

Jordan is doing that right thing. Team first. That's why I love him. AS game is a joke. Its no better than WWF. If fans want to see certain players then but the MLB package and watch the REAL games.

Tcostant said...

Anybody out there have a weather forecast for DC? Going to Nationals Park tonight to see Paul McCartney and have seats that are not over an overhang. The concert is "Rain or Shine"

Help

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

jeeves said...
And Jeeves, natsfan. I stuck up for Desi from the get go. Got vilified for doing so. Also stuck up for Detwiler when few others did.


I was a Desi supporter from the start. You could see the raw talent and I was constantly bashed by others for supporting what some people called just another Cristian Guzman.

OTOH, I never saw Detwiler as a serious starter due to what I saw as a pitcher that never came into Spring Training read to compete. He had a hard time getting through the order 2nd time around and had stamina issues. After the All Star break last year it was a different Detwiler. He seemed to change his approach and stopped over-throwing and let his movement dictate his effectiveness and not his velo.

You can be negative on a player if you are able to make unbiased judgements objectively using stats and try to fairly assess them subjectively through observation. It's tough to do and as we all know what you write can be unearthed forever.



Holden Baroque said...

Anybody out there have a weather forecast for DC?

TCos, there's a mess of storms coming up over Cape Hatteras and Nofolk now, which may or may not circle around onto us up here by showtime (8PM). I'd bring a rain poncho.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

2 sides to every story. The Luis Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig story told through Luis Gonzaelz was a different story than Mark McGwire told.

Just like with people trying to bash Bryce Harper, it's happening with Puig.

Sometimes we need to hold judgement as there is 2 sides to ever story.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Sec. 1 D, seat 10 T, My Sofa said...
Vilified? Just in here?
Hah!
You were LUCKY!

a serial philatelist;


Nice!

natsfan1a said...

Sec. 3, My Sofa said...

That's AKA "a faulty component in the chair-keyboard interface module."
July 12, 2013 3:05 PM

Or, as my husband and his colleagues phrase it, "problem exists between chair and keyboard."

And I'm also in the non-vilifying for non-participation in exhibition games category.

Oh, and sorry for leaving you off the short list, Jeeves. It wasn't intentional but rather due to a spotty memory.

Holden Baroque said...

Speaking of 2 sides: Kedrys Morales is a switch-hitter (thus available LH) who could PH, and maybe play the odd game at first if necessary. Rizzo seems to work well enough with Jack Zduriencik, the Mariners' GM. I wonder what they'd take? His LH vs RHP splits look good.

Section 222 said...

Oh get over yourselves. Unless you are talking about the buckets of bold from a certain poster who shall not be named, no one got bashed or vilified for sticking up for Desi. You were right, and those of us who didn't think he could become an effective hitter were wrong. Congrats, take a bow. No need to turn yourselves into martyrs.

I remember distinctly, however, pleading at the time not to be called a "hater" just because I didn't think he'd be a good leadoff guy. And admitting half way through the season that he had done well and that I was wrong about his potential.

There were also plenty of people here arguing that Espi should be moved to short. They weren't bashed or vilified either. Nor were those who stuck up for Espi this season, or who thought he should be benched or sent to AAA. We have disagreements. That's what this blog is about sometimes. People take others disagreeing with them way too personally.

End of rant.

Holden Baroque said...

Ghost, I didn't see more than a few headlines on Puig/Gonzo -- supposedly, Puig shined him on when Gonzalez tried to introduce himself during BP?

natsfan1a said...

After reading further, sorry for leaving Ghost off as well.

And lol at sec3's 3:35 post. Philately always makes me think of this.

Sec. 3, My Sofa said...

I wanted to thank Eric and Sofa for their advice on embedding links. I figured out the problem. Not surprisingly, it was "user error."

That's AKA "a faulty component in the chair-keyboard interface module."
July 12, 2013 3:05 PM this.

Holden Baroque said...

Or, as my husband and his colleagues phrase it, "problem exists between chair and keyboard."

Shorthanded to "C2KI error," part of a class of errors known as "1D10T errors."

natsfan1a said...

For the record, 222, I wasn't speaking of commenters being vilified but rather Desi. And I am so over myself it's not even funny. Always have been, really. :-)

natsfan1a said...

And I don't count myself among those who was a strong, er, supporter, so there's that.

jeeves said...

Good old 222 who never critisizes others. If, judging by his number of posts he makes, 'getting over onesself' might be a bit misconstrued. Not very clever posts either, but lots of suck upping.

Section 222 said...

I know 1a. Other posters think they should be martyrs because they supported Desi, not you. I don't think Desi was vilified either, but I suppose that's debatable.

No one on the team should be immune from criticism, even Ramos. If you don't like fans expecting a lot of you, start producing or try another profession. Feeling sorry for yourself is unbecoming.

natsfan1a said...

On another note, there's a new post up. And my cat is cranky so I'm going to go feed him, and myself. Later, folks.

natsfan1a said...

Thanks, 222. I hadn't read the thread in depth.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section 222, it's how people give an opinion. The people that wanted to trade Desi to get rid of him were being cruel. There's a difference.

And while I supported Haren being signed since it was just cash and not trading players I did so thinking it was low risk that he could be dumped and made this post:

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
If Haren doesn't work out, there will be opportunities at July 31st.

December 04, 2012 11:18 AM


The fact Rizzo has given him so many chances is logical because there is little depth as we know among starters.

Section 222 said...

Thanks jeeves, I knew I could count on you for a clever retort.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section 222 said...

No one on the team should be immune from criticism


Again, be fair and state the case. Span, RZim, and Davey are being criticized a lot lately and some of it is justified and some isn't.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Sec. 1 D, seat 10 T, My Sofa said...
Ghost, I didn't see more than a few headlines on Puig/Gonzo -- supposedly, Puig shined him on when Gonzalez tried to introduce himself during BP?


I thought it was big national news. I guess it is just big news in LA. Just reminds me of all the venom spewed on Harper. Love this Puig kid but doubtful he will hit .400 like some think he will.

Holden Baroque said...

I thought it was big national news.

It might well have been, don't go by what I read. But I don't doubt it's bigger in L.A. "There's always a local angle," as they say in the news biz.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Sofa, I heard 3 different stories on the Puig/Gonzo debate. First I heard Gonzo asked for his autograph then I heard Gonzo said he didn't. Who knows.

Holden Baroque said...

Apparently, this guy does.

Unknown said...

Err Laroche. Auto correct

Unknown said...

SJM espi sucks. Will never be a good ML 2nd bagger. It's all about 9 guys, the best 9, and no team wants a 2nd bagger 230 batting avg with attitude.

Post a Comment