Ryan Zimmerman was playing hurt through most of the 2012 season, and got off to a slow start. The fact that his best period of the season also came as he was battling a shoulder injury is a testament to the 28-year old leader of the Nationals.
Oct 8, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) throws out St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese (not pictured) from his knees during the third inning of the 2012 NLDS at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 12-4. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE
Zimmerman knew he would have needed surgery before the season ended but pushed through the end of the season and the playoffs. The Nationals say that he will be 100% by the time Spring Training comes around which is great news for a quick start to the 2013 season. Zimmerman is similar to what Adrian Beltre is in Texas – a great defensive third baseman who, despite the lineup having other good hitters, is the leader in the middle. Zimmerman’s defense struggled as he battled the injury in his throwing shoulder being on cortisone shots.
The fact that he was able to not miss any playoff games and will be ready for Spring Training means that it really is the best case scenario for everyone involved and gives the Nationals a strong start to the offseason.
There are questions as to how the Nationals offense would look next season with question marks surrounding the outfield and Adam LaRoche but having Zimmerman and Ian Desmond on the left side of the infield means that is one spot the Nationals don’t have to worry about for next season.