Nationals set to activate Zimmerman
By Pablo Roa
Jul 19, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman
Ryan Zimmerman(11) hits a one run RBI single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit:
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
After missing 55 games with a Grade 3 strain in his right hamstring, Ryan Zimmerman is on the brink of returning to the big league squad and could be activated from the DL as early as today.
According to James Wagner of the Washington Post, the Nationals are set to activate Zimmerman today after the veteran played in his final intrasquad game in Viera, Fla., on Friday.
Zimmerman has been out of the lineup since he injured the hamstring July 22 while running the bases in Colorado. After the gravity of his injury was announced, many questioned whether or not Zimmerman would play in another big league game in 2014.
But, after going 3 for 8 with a home run Friday in Viera, it looks like the veteran will be back just in time for the playoffs.
“He’s answered every question down there. The question would be whether he would play tomorrow here, or whether he needs a day,” manager Matt Williams told MLB.com on Friday. “He won’t play there anymore.”
Zimmerman’s return should provide a big boost for the Nationals, who currently lead the Dodgers by 1 1/2 games in the race for the best record in the National League.
Over the final nine games of the regular season, Zimmerman will not only strengthen the Nationals’ offense, but his presence will also give manager Matt Williams the option to rest Anthony Rendon, Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche. During his stay in Viera, the veteran spent time at third base, left field and first base, giving the Nationals plenty of options as to where to play him for the remainder of the season.
"“I’m sure he’ll play third,” Williams told Wagner. “I’m sure he’ll play first and left. He’ll come off the bench some probably, too. If we get an opportunity, and he’s not playing that day, we can get him at-bat.”"
While playing time shouldn’t be hard to come by for Zimmerman as the regular season winds down, things will get a little more complicated for him and for Williams as the Nationals head into October.
The Nationals’ current infield of Rendon, Ian Desmond, Asdrubal Cabrera and LaRoche is a big reason why the team clinched its second NL East title in the last three years. If Zimmerman gets his timing back by the time the playoffs start — which, given his history of quick comebacks, shouldn’t be a problem — his presence in the lineup would be a major asset for a team with World Series aspirations.
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But while Zimmerman’s offensive capability is a no-brainer, finding a way to fit him into the postseason lineup is not.
Baring any last-minute injuries, the Nationals’ outfield is set for October with Harper, Denard Span and Jayson Werth, making it unlikely for Zimmerman to see much action in left field during the playoffs. One solution would be to move Rendon back to second base and put Zimmerman at third, but Zimmerman’s arm has made him a defensive liability at the hot corner. First base is probably Zimmerman’s position of the future, but LaRoche has arguably been the Nationals’ MVP this season and will likely man the position throughout the playoffs.
Needless to say, Williams has some decisions to make as the Nationals prepare for their 2014 playoff campaign. But, given how well this team is playing right now, the Nationals probably aren’t too concerned about the fact that their biggest problem heading into the postseason is finding playing time for Zimmerman.
After years of Zimmerman being the only good player on the team, the fact that this is even an issue is a testament to how far the Nationals have come in the last few years and how strong they look heading into the postseason. All things considered, this is not a bad problem to have.
We probably won’t know what Williams’ plans for Zimmerman are until we get closer to the playoffs. One thing’s for certain, Zimmerman will be back on the active roster soon, and the Nationals are a better team because of it.