Ryan Zimmerman Starts Rehab Assignment Tonight in Potomac
Since being drafted with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2005 MLB draft Ryan Zimmerman was the future of the Washington Nationals. Then when he proceeded to hit the walk off homerun in the first game in the Nationals brand new stadium he became the face of the franchise and as long as he remains a National he will remain the face of the franchise.
The Nationals have struggled this season especially in the past seven games as they have only won one of the games and are currently two games below .500 with a record of 25-27. Most of the Nationals struggles have been offensively and the reason the offense has been struggling is the amount of players that have landed on the disabled list however it seems that things could be turning around. In the last two weeks the Nationals have seen their starting catcher and first baseman come off the DL to rejoin the team and it seems Ryan Zimmerman is not far behind.
Zimmerman fractured his left thumb when he dove into second base in an April 11 game against the Atlanta Braves and since then the Nationals are 18-23 without Zimmerman in the lineup. Zimmerman impressed in his first full batting practice Wednesday in doing so has secured his first rehab start of his return in which he will DH and bat third for the Nationals High-A Potomac team.
In the past two seasons Ryan Zimmerman has struggled mightily at third base as he has 19 and 21 errors in consecutive season and in only nine games this year he had two errors. Due to his continuing struggles at the hot corner there has been speculation that he should be moved to another position and allow the younger Anthony Rendon to stay in his natural position of third base. Both Ryan Zimmerman and Manager Matt Williams have left the door open for Zimmerman to play third base, first base and left field upon his return in that Zimmerman has been seen playing all three positions to stay in shape while on the DL.
While Zimmerman defense has been questionable and will remain questionable until he can fix it, his offense has definitely been missed and the Nationals clearly need the right handed slugger back in the lineup. In just the short amount of time he played this year his bat was clearly an impact as he posted an impressive average of .364 to go along with his two homeruns and six RBIs.
The Nationals are clearly struggling and need a boost in their lineup and it appears to be coming very soon in the form of non-other than their face of their franchise, Ryan Zimmerman. Whether he plays third base, first base, or left field Ryan Zimmerman presences will clearly be felt on the offense side of the game as well as a leader in the dugout.
