Today’s District Daily features stories on Ryan Zimmerman’s approach this spring and the makeup of the 2016 Washington Nationals.
Good morning 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, MASN’s Mark Zuckerman discusses Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman’s approach this spring. As Zuckerman writes in his article, Zimmerman is taking it slower than usual this spring — but he’s doing it by design.
Zimmerman didn’t make the long road trip to Port Charlotte for today’s spring opener against the Rays, and he likely won’t play in any games in the immediate future because he is holding off on running.
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Of course, it makes sense that Zimmerman is taking things slow this spring. The veteran was hampered by a foot injury that forced him to miss a great deal of time in 2015. By taking it slow and not running more than he has to, he puts less pressure on his foot. Injuries have always been a problem for Zimmerman, and the Nationals want and need him to stay healthy this spring and throughout the regular season.
Hopefully for the Nationals, Zimmerman will be able to play at 100 percent intensity in the near future and he’ll be ready to go for Opening Day.
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Jerry Brewer discusses how the 2016 Nationals might be better than last year’s, despite the fact that the team no longer has a true “wow” factor.
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.
Zimmerman taking it slow and steady this spring, by design
VIERA, Fla – When the Nationals embark early Wednesday morning on the three-hour drive to Port Charlotte for their Grapefruit League opener against the Rays, Ryan Zimmermanwon’t be on the bus. Then again, neither will any of the projected regular members of their starting lineup, veterans who generally don’t have to make such a long spring training road trip.
Zimmerman, though, isn’t expected to be in the lineup for Thursday’s home opener at Space Coast Stadium, even though several other big-names (Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and more) likely will play. Read full article here.
The Nationals have gone from luxurious to practical, and that’s not a bad thing
(Jerry Brewer, Washington Post)
VIERA, Fla. — You know better than to be seduced by the Washington Nationals’ spring training possibilities. If their 2012 and 2014 playoff disappointments didn’t restrain premature hype, then last season’s debacle obliterated all naivete. It is best to dream about this team with one eye open.
In the absence of effusive expectation, there is room for measured hope, however. And so there’s this thought: Although the Nationals lack a super power, they’re a much more balanced and well-devised ballclub. The 2015 team was built around a historically gifted starting rotation that crumbled because of injuries and underperformance. Read full article here.