Zimmermann Makes NL All-Star Staff For Second Straight Year
By Pablo Roa
Jun 30, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Jordan Zimmermann(27) pitches during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmerman was named to the National League All-Star pitching staff by Cardinals manager Mike Matheny. It’s the second year in a row that Zimmermann makes the All-Star team but he was not able to participate in the game last year due to a neck injury.
Like last season, Zimmermann has been a crucial member of the Nationals rotation. The right-hander is 6-4 with a 2.79 ERA on the season and boasts a minuscule 1.26 ERA over his last seven starts. Zimmermann continued his strong season in his last start with another dominant performance, holding the Cubs to seven hits over six scoreless innings of work while striking out five.
This year’s Midsummer Classic will be held at Target Field in Minnesota July 15, and after missing last season’s game, Zimmermann is looking forward to helping the National League secure home-field advantage for the World Series.
"“It’s a huge honor,” Zimmermann told MLB.com’s Bill Ladson after Sunday’s game. “I’m excited. I wouldn’t be going if it wasn’t for those guys who play defense behind me every day and our catchers calling the pitches. I don’t have high strikeout numbers. I let the batter put it in play. Those guys make the plays behind me. As much as it’s me going, it actually those guys, too.”"
At the moment, Zimmermann is the only Nationals player representing the team in Minnesota, but infielder Anthony Rendon could make the team as part of the National League Final Vote. For more information on this year’s Midsummer Classic, visit allstargame.com.