District Daily: Zimmerman Plays First Rehab Game, Nats Struggling With Runners in Scoring Position
By Pablo Roa
May 28, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) stands outside of the batting cage prior to the game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Start off your weekend with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web:
Zimmerman bats four times in first rehab game
WASHINGTON — Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman went 0-for-3 in four plate appearances for the Class A Potomac Nationals on Friday night in the first game of his Minor League rehab assignment as he makes his comeback from a broken thumb.
In his first plate appearance in the first inning, Zimmerman — who batted third as the designated hitter — drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to right field. He grounded out twice and flied out in his next three at-bats against the Salem Red Sox.
“We’ll see how he comes out of it tomorrow, and how he feels in the morning,” Nationals manager Matt Williams said. “We’ll make a determination tomorrow what he’s going to do.” Read full article here.
Nats struggling with runners in scoring position
WASHINGTON — The Nationals entered Friday having lost six of their past seven games and averaging fewer than three runs during that stretch.
A large part of the team’s struggles have resulted from offensive lapses with men on base. During the seven-game span, the Nationals are hitting .127 with runners in scoring position.
“When we’re rolling, there’s a lot less pressure in those situations. You’re not as concerned about it,” said first baseman Adam LaRoche, who returned from the 15-day disabled list on Sunday. “You know we’re going to have more opportunities. You know that if you don’t get it done, the guy behind you will get it done. When you’re not, when you’re up there at the plate knowing that this may be our only opportunity to score, it absolutely makes it tougher. And that’s what we’re fighting for now.” Read full article here.
Prospect of the Day: Blake Treinen, RHP, Washington Nationals
(John Sickels, Minor League Ball)
Washington Nationals rookie right-hander Blake Treinen is off to a decent start in the major leagues. Through 17 innings covering two starts and three relief outings, he has a 1.56 ERA. His component ratios (22 hits, 13 strikeouts, seven walks) aren’t as strong but his FIP still comes out nicely at 2.93. He’s also been clocked as high as 98 MPH, which will get your attention faster than any sabemetric breakdown. Let’s take a look at Treinen as Friday’s Prospect of the Day.
Hailing from Osage City, Kansas, Treinen was not a hot prospect initially and played junior varsity baseball in 2007 as a freshman for Baker University, a small liberal arts school about 20 miles south of Lawrence in Baldwin City. At the time he had an 83 MPH fastball. He was at the University of Arkansas in 2008 but never got into a game, then transferred to South Dakota State University in 2009 and had to sit out due to NCAA transfer restrictions. He finally got to pitch in 2010, posting a 6.09 ERA in 75 innings but sowing some arm strength. He was much better in 2011, posting a 3.00 ERA with an 84/25 K/BB in 84 innings, enough to get drafted in the seventh round by the Oakland Athletics. Read full article here.