Jeff

Zimmerman

A simulated game could follow as soon as Sunday, with Zimmerman returning in the latter half of July.

It’s the first setback Zimmerman has had as he comes back from Tommy John surgery. He still could return in July or August.

Because he wasn’t offered arbitration, Zimmerman couldn’t pitch in the majors for the Rangers until May 1. That’s not going to be a problem, though, since he’s probably not going to be ready to return from Tommy John surgery until after the All-Star break. It’s possible we’ll see the same type of thing happen with the Giants and Robb Nen.

As there is no timetable for Zimmerman’s return to action, consider him sidelined indefinitely.

Zimmerman, who signed a minor league deal with the Rangers, is coming back from a second Tommy John surgery. “I want to do everything possible to err on the side of caution,” he said. “This is probably my last chance.” If Zimmerman pitches in the majors this season, it probably won’t happen until after the All-Star break.

Zimmerman is trying to return from elbow surgery, and wants to be back shortly after the All-Star break.

Pitching coach Orel Hershiser said Zimmerman was ''outstanding.’' He’ll throw again on Friday, and could face live hitters when the Rangers return from their current road trip.

Zimmerman is prohibited from throwing indefinitely. If drug therapy doesn’t work, he may need to have the nerve removed.

Though the Rangers still don’t believe Zimmerman’s pain is anything that will require additional surgery, they will wait until he feels more comfortable before sending him for work.

That was the recommendation and diagnosis of Dr. James Andrews, who examined Zimmerman recently and found nothing seriously wrong with the area in and around the right elbow. Zimmerman was unable to come back from Tommy John surgery last season, but he could be one of Francisco Cordero’s setup men in 2004.