Apr 12, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) reacts to being picked off in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
You might need sleep, but the media doesn’t (well, sometimes). Here’s everything about the Nationals you missed while you were catching some shut-eye.
Ramos may have to wait for Friday to return
(Andrew Simon and Teddy Cahill, MLB.com)
WASHINGTON — If it were up to Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, he would make his return from the disabled list on Wednesday, when the Nats finish their three-game series against the Dodgers. But that decision ultimately does not rest with Ramos, who might have to wait until Friday in Oakland to play for the first time since Opening Day.
Ramos, recovering from a left hamate bone fracture, finished a Minor League rehab assignment on Monday with Double-A Harrisburg, where he went 0-for-4, but caught the whole game with no issues. He continues to experience normal soreness in his wrist area, but it’s nothing he can’t play with.
“It feels good right now,” said Ramos, who will wear a special pad at the heel of his glove to protect the wrist. “I feel more strong. My legs feel good. It felt good yesterday catching nine innings. I blocked a couple balls that hit my wrist and I didn’t feel anything, so that’s a good step.” Read full article here.
McLouth escapes serious injury after highlight catch
(Andrew Simon and Teddy Cahill, MLB.com)
WASHINGTON — When he arrived in the Nationals’ clubhouse on Tuesday, Nate McLouth still hadn’t watched the highlight of his spectacular sliding catch in Monday night’s 4-0 win over the Dodgers. But the bandage on his right index finger served as a reminder of how he gave up his body to make the play in foul territory down the left-field line.
“I know it was pretty much catch, boom, wall,” said McLouth, who ranked the catch as “probably one of the more dangerous ones,” of his career.
Considering how the play looked, the damage could have been much worse. Read full article here.
Zimmerman making progress as thumb heals
(Andrew Simon and Teddy Cahill, MLB.com)
WASHINGTON — X-rays taken Monday on Ryan Zimmerman‘s fractured right thumb showed that the Nationals third baseman is making good progress in his recovery, according to manager Matt Williams.
Zimmerman was expected to miss four to six weeks after sustaining the injury sliding back into second base against the Braves on April 12. He’s now a little more than three weeks into his recovery.
“Zim’s X-rays were great, and he’s on path to begin his rehab as soon as possible,” Williams said. “Fracture is still there. It’s only three weeks, so it’s still there, but there’s callouses and it’s progressing well. But we have to be cautious in these days, because he’s feeling better and wants to do more, but it’s not quite bone yet. But all the X-rays were good.” Read full article here.