Nationals Activate Ryan Zimmerman off DL; Send Moore to Triple-A
The long waited return of Ryan Zimmerman is finally upon us as Zimmerman was activated off the DL today and will start in his first game since April 12 for the Washington Nationals. The Nationals are in dire need of Ryan Zimmerman’s veteran bat in their lineup that batted only .242 in the month of May.
While Zimmerman’s bat is the thing Nationals fans are looking to have back the most it is not the topic that has been brought up consistently since Zimmerman was seen taking fly balls in left field during his time on the DL. The topic of Zimmerman moving off of the hot corner and into left field was revved up even more when Zimmerman made his four rehab starts over the weekend that saw him play in left field in three of the four games. Then early today when it was announced that Zimmerman would be activated off the DL the Nationals released their lineup and Zimmerman was listed as the starting left fielder for the first time in his career.
Prior to his injury, Zimmerman was hitting .364 with three home runs and six RBIs in just ten games. The Nationals are clearly a better team with Zimmerman in the lineup as they averaged over 5 runs per game in the ten games he played and just averaged fewer than four in games he didn’t play in this season. Even though it was a hand injury that landed Zimmerman on the DL it seems like it hasn’t affected his swing as he went 5-14 in his four rehab starts for the Potomac Nationals.
When one player is activated off the DL another must been sent down and that player will be outfield/infielder Tyler Moore. Moore will be sent down to Triple–A Syracuse for the third time this year as he has struggled to hit in the majors this year in his limited at bats as he is currently batting .214 with three home runs in his 70 at bats on the season.
