:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/15125277/170947128.0.jpg)
"Wilson [Ramos] is making good progress," Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo told 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s Holden Kushner and Danny Rouhier on Wednesday morning. "Obviously we're taking it extremely slow with him because he's had two hamstring pulls, one in each leg, and a little setback, but he's making progress, he's coming along and hopefully he's a couple weeks away from helping us at the big league level again." The Nats haven't had the 25-year-old catcher available since he went down with the second of the two hamstring injuries Rizzo mentioned. Before the hamstring injury, the fourth-year major leaguer had a .250/308/.438 line on the year after working his way back from the torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee that ended his 2012 campaign after just 25 games.
Nationals' manager Davey Johnson also updated reporters on the status of his would-be no.1 catcher when he talked to the press before this afternoon's game in Nationals Park:
Wilson Ramos, too, is getting close. Hitting BP, catching bullpens and running the bases in Viera. Had another MRI on hammy, looked fine.
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) June 20, 2013
The "too" in that was in reference to 20-year-old Nats' outfielder Bryce Harper. There was another sort-of update on Harper's injured left knee this afternoon as reporters on the scene in the nation's capital noted after talking to Johnson:
Davey on whether Bryce Harper has resumed baseball activities: 'He probably won’t tell anybody, but I’m sure he’s been doing baseball stuff'
— Chase Hughes (@chasehughesCSN) June 20, 2013
Davey says Bryce Harper ran in the outfield today & will hit in the cage. Barring any more swelling, he could go on a rehab assignment soon
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) June 20, 2013
Roger Bernadina (eye) reportedly went to see an eye doctor today as well though there wasn't an update on his condition as of this afternoon after he was a late scratch from the lineup for last night's series finale in Philadelphia. Chad Tracy is also reportedly dealing with a back issue, though reports today said it's not considered serious:
Chad Tracy is having some alignment issues, according to Davey. But he doesn't think it will be a major issue.
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) June 20, 2013
The Nationals turn to Jordan Zimmermann tonight as the try to make it two straight after last night's win in the series finale in Philadelphia. Zimmerann is, you might recall, unbeaten at home in the nation's capital in 18-straight starts going back to last May 17th when the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the right-hander. The 27-year-old starter is (11-0) in those eighteen starts with the Nationals 15-3 with him on the mound in the Nationals' home.
Davey Johnson On Nats' 7-0 Win Over The Minnesota Twins
Photo © Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
Last time out on the banks of the Anacostia, Zimmermann dominated the Minnesota Twins, throwing 7.0 scoreless in which he allowed just two hits in a 7-0 win. Zimmermann's now (6-0) in seven starts at home this season with a 1.06 ERA over 51.0 IP in D.C. in 2013.
Here's the lineup that will take the field in support of the Nats' 07 2nd Round pick tonight in the series opener with the Rockies:
#Nationals lineup vs. COL: Span 8, Rendon 4, Zimmerman 5, LaRoche 3, Werth 9, Desmond 6, Lombardozzi 7, Suzuki 2, Zimmermann 1
— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) June 20, 2013