Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins: Grapefruit League GameThread

Ryan Zimmerman’s 2 for 4, two-home run game last night in West Palm Beach, FL left the 36-year-old backup first baseman 9 for 19 (.474/.524/1.368) in limited action this spring.

The home runs were his 4th and 5th in seven games for the 15-year veteran, who’s heading into his 16th season after opting out of playing in 2020’s 60-game COVID campaign.

If Zimmerman hits two more home runs this spring, he’ll tie his personal Grapefruit League best of seven home runs, which he hit over 25 games in 2006, his first Spring Training with the franchise after the Washington Nationals drafted him with the 4th overall pick in 2005.

So, maybe the part-time player life will suit Zimmerman well?

In his career, Zimmerman has a .283/.333/.500 line in 51 plate appearances as a pinch hitter and a .268/.321/.437 line as a sub. So this might just work?

“He’s doing well,” Nationals’ manager Davey Martinez said after Wednesday night’s game.

“And I talked about this before, I think it’s a testament to how hard he’s worked in the offseason. I mean, to get in shape, to come to Spring Training in shape and hone in on his baseball skills, he understands he missed a year last year, so he worked really hard this offseason and he looks great.”

To see Zimmerman step right back in, playing every could days this spring, has been really impressive.

“He’s squaring balls up right now. He’s only got 20-21 at bats, but it seems like every time he swings he’s hitting the ball hard, which is good.

“He understands his role. he’s going to play part time, we’re going to use him off the bench, but what he’s doing right now is awesome. And if he can continue to do that, we’re going to have a really good year and he’s going to have a really good year.”

Is Zimmerman in the lineup tonight, going back-to-back as the Nationals take on the Miami Marlins on the road in Jupiter, FL’s Roger Dean Stadium. Yep.

HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR TONIGHT’S GAME WITH THE FISH: