It’s looking more and more like Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will miss the rest of the season with a strained muscle under his rib cage. Zimmerman hasn’t played since Sept. 22 and is out of the lineup again tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies. He’s still not sure exactly when he suffered the injury.
“I can’t really think of one swing or one dive or throw,” Zimmerman said. “But I think it’s just something that’s gone on and just the wear and tear and finally got to the point where I didn’t feel like I was going to be as good as [utility infielder Alberto Gonzalez] out there. If I’m going to go out there and play 75 percent it’s not worth it to me or the other guys here.”
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Zimmerman is rehabbing every day. But there are only five games left in the season after tonight. And the risk of aggravating the injury could set back his offseason training regimen. Yes, spring training is five months away.
“You don’t want to go back and hurt it more and then spend your first month rehabbing an injury that you could have avoided. Obviously, I take a couple weeks off,” Zimmerman said. “But after that it’s full go getting ready for the next season. It’s a three-and-a-half month process that a lot of us do to get ready for the next season. You wouldn’t want to postpone the routine that I’ve gotten into. Because the last couple years I think what I’ve done in the offseason has been vital for the success that I’ve had on the field.”
That success is a career-best .307 batting average with 25 home runs and 85 RBI. His OPS is at .899. He slugs at a .510 clip and his .388 on-base percentage is .24 better than his previous career best in 2009 (.364). Zimmerman’s batting average is tied for 15th among all MLB players. His on-base percentage is 14th and OPS is 16th. Slugging he ranks 23rd. Among all third baseman Zimmerman ranks in the top 3 in each of those categories.
Of course, what sets Zimmerman apart is his absurd defensive skills. He has a UZR/150 of 23.9 in 2010. No third baseman is close. Only Tampa Bay outfielder Carl Crawford (30.3) and Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner (36.0) are better. For his career Zimmerman is a 13.9 at third base. Using the Wins Above Replacement (WAR) stat employed by Fangraphs – which weights a player’s defense more heavily – is 7.3. That’s better than Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (7.1). Only Cincinnati’s Joey Votto (7.4) and Texas’ Josh Hamilton (8.0) are better. That is a phenomenal season. It’d be a shame if Zimmerman didn’t get some serious MVP consideration – even if it’s just getting enough votes to finish in the Top 10. We’ll see.
“I haven’t really had a chance to sit back and reflect on it. Obviously, I’ve done some things better and probably done some things worse,” Zimmerman said. “But as far as maturing and learning the game more I think every year is better, That’s the key and the luxury of being here for a long time is you get the chance to learn at this level. I feel like that helps me become a better all-around player.”
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