WASHINGTON (AP) - Ryan Zimmerman fielded his position in a drizzle before the Washington Nationals’ last exhibition game. Then he joined teammates for batting practice. Even took some trips around the basepaths, expending enough energy in the chill to redden his face.
And then, when it was time for what became reigning NL East champion Washington’s 3-1 loss against the Minnesota Twins to begin Tuesday, Zimmerman did what he so often did during spring training this year: He sat out.
Taking an unusual approach to February and March, Zimmerman hit on back fields and faced pitchers destined for the minor leagues instead of playing in Grapefruit League games. He finished with two official at-bats. The 33-year-old first baseman insists he’s healthy, insists he’s ready for the regular season and insists - as does Nationals manager Dave Martinez - that he will play on opening day.
“I practiced. I did BP every day with the team. It’s not like I was sitting in the clubhouse watching TV. I did all the stuff that I always do. I just didn’t play in the games,” Zimmerman said.
“People, for some reason, put a lot of stock into spring training,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m not going to say it’s the most overrated thing. (But) you ask everyone, and the goal is to be healthy when you leave spring training. So I mean, if (Bryce Harper) hit .100 and struck out 19 out of his 46 at-bats, you think he’s going to make the team?”
Nationals catcher Matt Wieters sees nothing wrong with this.
He basically did the same thing when he was coming back from elbow surgery.
“I have no doubt he’s ready,” Wieters said about Zimmerman. “It’ll be just a matter of putting some fans in the stands and getting a little bit of adrenaline going. Once you get that, as long as your body’s ready, you’re ready to go.”
Zimmerman enjoyed a renaissance in 2017, rebounding from three injury-limited seasons to hit .303 with 36 homers and 108 RBIs.
So when and how did Zimmerman and the Nationals devise this plan for spring training?
“We didn’t really, to be honest with you. It just kind of started at the beginning and grew on itself, and just kept going with it,” he said. “Everyone’s making this crazy stuff about it. I’m not the first person to ever do it. I got 50-something at-bats and am ready to go and healthy.”
Martinez said Zimmerman was offered the chance to play Tuesday but declined.
Which is fine with the rookie skipper.
“I’m looking forward to getting him out on the field opening day. We asked him how he was feeling. He said he feels great,” Martinez said. “We asked him: ’You want to get some at-bats today?’ And he said he wants to stick to the game plan. So that’s what we did.”
GAME SUMMARY
C Mitch Garver’s two-run single off Trevor Gott with one out in the ninth inning broke a tie and lifted Minnesota to the 3-1 victory. Nationals SS Trea Turner homered off Trevor Hildenberger in the fifth for Washington’s first hit and a 1-0 lead. Twins 3B Ehire Adrianza tied it with a solo shot off Shawn Kelley in the seventh.
BRRRRRR
The temperature was 46 degrees at first pitch. “It’s a shock for everyone. I don’t think anyone gets accustomed to cold weather,” said Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez, who gave up a single and a walk in three innings. “I don’t think anyone likes cold weather.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins: RHP Phil Hughes will go on the DL because of a strained oblique. … RHP Ervin Santana also will begin the season on the DL after finger surgery. … RHP Lance Lynn threw a bullpen session in Florida on Monday and will start a minor league spring training game on Wednesday. He is expected to start for the Twins next Monday at Pittsburgh. … 1B/DH Kennys Vargas cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Rochester.
Nationals: Put 2B Daniel Murphy (offseason knee surgery) and RHP Joaquin Benoit (strained right forearm) on the 10-day DL, placed RHP Koda Glover on the 60-day DL and selected the contract of C Miguel Montero.
UP NEXT
Twins: Open at Baltimore on Thursday, with RHP Jake Odorizzi starting against Orioles RHP Dylan Bundy.
Nationals: Open at Cincinnati on Thursday, with RHP Max Scherzer facing Reds RHP Homer Bailey.
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