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Associated Press Ryan Zimmerman is close to playing his first game at third base. |
Zimmerman was originally scheduled to take the field Monday against the Tigers, but manager Davey Johnson said the 28-year-old indicated he could be ready to go Saturday night against the Astros. Nationals rehab coordinator Steve Gober concurred, provided Zimmerman is able to get through today's workout in Viera with no issues.
"I guess I can't keep all these guys conservative," Johnson said. "They're being more aggressive than me."
Zimmerman has appeared in seven Grapefruit League games to date, serving as designated hitter each time. All the while, he's been building up arm strength following surgery in late-October to repair the sprained AC joint that plagued him throughout 2012.
Zimmerman has been participating fully in pregame drills and indicated earlier this week he was ahead of schedule.
"Everything's good," he said. "Now it's just a matter of throwing until it feels good. I've just got to have the volume and reps to get it back into shape. And after that, we'll be good to go."
If he plays Saturday, Zimmerman will probably only appear in the field for three or four innings, getting a couple of at-bats before he's replaced. His return to third base would also give Johnson the chance to let his pitchers hit for the first time this spring.
A create of habit, Zimmerman prefers to get about 50 at-bats in spring training. He's currently 11-for-22, with three doubles, a homer and four RBI.
"He looks great," Johnson said. "I'm not worried about him at all. And there's still plenty of time. He's right on schedule. His timing is great. That is what I was most concerned about. I think he's got 22 at-bats, so he only needs 28 more to get to 50. So he's right on pace."
26 comments:
The Nats just want to get Silver Slugger Strasburg's bat back in the lineup tomorrow. Thanks, Zim!
Zimmerman looks totally in the zone at the plate.Here's hoping it just keeps going like this all year long.
Nats Jack has a great idea for a walk up song for Werth: Warren Zevon's Werewolf in London. Can you just hear the whole stadium going "Ah-ooouh" ? I threw it at Mike Rizzo yesterday after the game when he was holding court with who someone said we're a group of player's girlfriends. All of them went into a chorus of the wolf howl.Rizzo cracked up and said he was going to suggest it to the powers that be. So, if it comes to be, it started with Jack.
I assume that the "powers that be" is Werth. Don't the players pick their own walkup music?
I suppose the organ player in Atlanta might be interested in the idea though.
Sect222, yes, the players pick their music so long is there is nothing offensive in the lyrics.
I think Bryce has songs picked for each at-bat in sequential order.
Right. So I kind of doubt that Werth would pick a song to make fun of his hair/beard. But it's a funny idea.
That's "Werewolves of London" and the howling part works. The Phoenix Coyotes used to use it (maybe they still do, haven't been in years) when they scored a goal. Fans howled along. The one time I succeeded in making my dad pretend he wasn't with the idiot sitting next to him. : )
Yanno, there's nothing stopping us from doing it anyway when Werth homers. Just saying.
Or should I have said
: o
Great idea sofa. And I still hope they use Take on Me as a 7th inning song.
My cat looks at me funny when I howl at the moon. Whatever.
Good to see that some real hitters are gonna replace RZim.
What's next? Catchers playing SS. LOL
Do you all remember RZim in his Rookie season used the edited version of Ridin' Dirty by Chamillionaire.
That's when he was young and wild and crazy!
NatsJack, thanks. I knew he had another song. Couldn't remember what it was called. There's some Blogger who has a listing of songs somewhere. I looked and couldn't find it.
I wonder if Bryce uses his new Wale song this year. Here's a video on Bryce's walk up music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqeR9fsXmC0
Ghost..here is the link for the 2012 walk up music.
http://districtsportspage.com/washington-nationals-walk-up-music-2012/10367
Did you all hear about the Hooters ball girls at the Phillies game? It didn't work out so good.
Yeah, I saw the video, Joe.
MicheleS, thanks. They are missing Wilson Ramos walkup music by his Uncle Ruben.
Also on a walk-up note, this is kinda cool, from last October. Walk-up music for pla-play-playoff teams.
So if the U.S. advances to the championship round (Sunday, Monday, Tues.) of the WBC, they will be able to replace David Wright. I have the perfect solution. He's a third baseman who's had a really good spring training at the plate. No not Zim. He's only going to play 3-4 innings in the field in is first game on Saturday.
Anthony Rendon.
Haren's average velocity on fastball has dipped every season from 2007 but so has his cutter I guess. now he does rely more on his cutter than fastball. should that worry anyone? this has been mentioned before I believe.
MicheleS, thanks for the link. One glaring omission seems to be Wilson Ramos walkup music by his Uncle Ruben!
Joe S, no. Do tell.
Here you go, sec3.
Great idea on ARen, Section 222.
He's already one of my favorite players, the way Prince Oppo Boppo was long before he was in the Nats' lineup.
Thanks for posting the link for the Hooters thing natsfan1a.
You're welcome. :-)
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