Don’t kid yourself. While the Nationals’ front office will be watching tonight’s game against the Florida Marlins at Nationals Park they are just as invested in what will happen in Frederick, Md. this evening. That’s where rookie pitcher Jordan Zimmermann makes a rehabilitation start for Single-A Potomac against the Frederick Keys.
Zimmermann has been on the 15-day disabled list since July 19th with right elbow soreness. The 23-year-old entered the season as the team’s prized prospect. And while he has had his ups and downs – a 3-5 record with a 4.63 ERA – he has also done nothing to hurt the view that he has legitimate top-of-the-rotation talent – maybe realizing it as soon as next season. On a team where walks are handed out like candy, Zimmermann has just 29 in 16 starts. He has also struck out 92 batters – the best indication of all that he has what it takes to be a key part of a contending rotation.
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When -if? – No. 1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg signs with the Nats, he will instantly overshadow every other prospect in the organization, Zimmermann included. But while Washington has plenty of internal candidates for back-of-the-rotation status – good, solid pitchers without the raw talent to become stars – Zimmermann is one the few who can hang with Strasburg. Whatever the Nats become in two or three years will be based heavily on those two reaching their potential and 24-year-old John Lannan maintaining his place as a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter.
So the team has been extra cautious with Zimmermann, who endured an earlier bought of elbow soreness in June when the Nats skipped one of his starts. The club was going to shut him down early this season anyway to limit his total innings pitched – always the prudent move with young pitchers who have never gone above 150 innings in a pro season. Instead, the injury allowed the front office to give Zimmermann a break now before bringing him back for the final six weeks or so.
But that starts tonight in Frederick. The Nats need to see Zimmermann come through a couple of minor-league starts unscathed before they will breathe a deep, deep sigh of relief. His health is as important as anything that happens on the big-league club the rest of the season.
