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Washington Nationals News: Ryan Zimmerman to make spring debut at 1B

By Pablo Roa

Mar 13, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) hits a base hit in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) hits a base hit in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Today’s District Daily features stories on Ryan Zimmerman making his spring debut at first base and the importance of Washington Nationals right-hander Joe Ross adding another pitch to his arsenal.

Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.

In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson discusses how Ryan Zimmerman will make his spring debut at first base tomorrow afternoon when the Nationals take on the Marlins. Zimmerman has made two exhibition game appearances thus far this spring, both as a designated hitter.

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Zimmerman, of course, was the Nationals’ everyday first baseman prior to last season. He was one of the best third basemen in the game for a long time but shoulder issues forced him to slide across the diamond to first base, where he’ll likely spend most of the 2016 season.

Last year was supposed to be Zimmerman’s first full season at first base, but injuries prevented him from playing much at any position. Of the 98 games Zimmerman played last season, 93 were at first base.

Also in today’s Daily, The Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes discusses how adding an additional pitch to his arsenal is crucial for Joe Ross’s chances of maintaining a rotation spot with the Nationals this season.

Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.

Zim to make spring debut at 1B Wednesday

(Bill Ladson, MLB.com)

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Nationals slugger Ryan Zimmerman will see action at first base for the first time this spring during Wednesday’s 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Marlins. Zimmerman played his first two games of the Grapefruit League season as a designated hitter.

Zimmerman, who sat out the Nationals’ first 12 Grapefruit League games as a precaution due to left foot issues, feels that manager Dusty Baker and the training staff have done a great job getting him ready for the season.

“The goal is to have all of our guys stay healthy,” said Zimmerman, who played 93 of his 98 career games at first base last season. “There are some things you can’t control. I think they are really doing a good job, so far.” Read full article here.

Joe Ross knows he’s needs a third pitch to keep his spot

(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — When you have a fastball that sinks as it speeds through the zone the way Joe Ross’s does, and a slider that swerves out of reach like his, you can get major league hitters out. If you’re a rookie, and opposing hitters have not seen you before, as was the case for Ross last season, you can dominate them, for a time.

But hitters have seen Ross now, and they will see him repeatedly if he locks down a slot in the Nationals’ rotation. He can get by with that electric fastball and that biting slider, maybe even shut teams down in the short term. But he and his coaches and his teammates agree: Ross needs to develop his change-up. If he does, well . . .

“Oh my God,” said Max Scherzer, enthusiastically imagining how much a reliable change-up could help the 22-year-old right-hander. Read full article here.

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