Ryan

Zimmerman

Zimmerman, 37, spent 17 years with the Nationals, and played in 16 total seasons for the club after missing a year while sitting out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drafted with the fourth overall pick of the 2005 MLB Draft, the former Virginia standout finishes with a career batting line of .277/.341/.475 and 284 home runs, and he was also a terrific defender at third base until injuries -- and Anthony Rendon -- saw him move from the position. While not likely to be heading to Cooperstown, Zimmerman will be remembered fondly by Nationals fans, and he should see his number retired in the coming years -- if not in 2022.

Zimmerman told reporters at the conclusion of the regular season that he was undecided about continuing his playing career, but it now sounds like he is at least going to prepare to give it a go for what would be his age-37 campaign. The free agent first baseman posted a .243/.286/.471 batting line with 14 home runs and 16 doubles over 110 games (273 plate appearances) for the Nationals in 2021.

Zimmerman received a rousing ovation from the fans and acknowledgement from his team and even the opposing dugout during Sunday’s game, so it had all the trappings of a proper send-off for his career, but he’s not 100 percent ready to walk off into the sunset. “Do I want to keep playing? I think I can keep playing,” said Zimmerman. “I think I had a really good year with the role that I was supposed to do. Now it’s a decision of whether I want to keep doing that or do I want to be around my family a little bit more.” Zimmerman turned 37 last week and batted .243/.286/.471 (104 OPS+) with 14 homers in 273 plate appearances this season. He had a .901 OPS against left-handed pitching, so there’s a case to be made for him to continue in a part-time role. Still, the career National has had a heck of a career either way and was deserving of being celebrated on Sunday.

Zimmerman picked up his 15th double of the campaign in Tuesday’s loss. The veteran slugger is hitting .245/.283/.474 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI in 106 games played.

Zimmerman did pick up a single on the afternoon, but his team’s performance as a whole left much to be desired in what finished as a 6-0 defeat. Overall this season, the veteran first baseman is hitting .249/.289/.485 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI over the course of 102 games played.

Zimmerman put the Nationals on the board with an RBI ground out in the opening frame and also walloped a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning off lefty John Means. The 36-year-old veteran slugger has gotten off to a slow start at the plate, collecting just three hits in 21 at-bats over seven games since the All-Star break.

That would allow the Nationals to get Ryan Zimmerman into the lineup more frequently. The problem there is that Bell hasn’t played the outfield since 2016 and was pretty atrocious out there back then, which is why the Pirates moved him to first base. Also, Zimmerman has really cooled off lately, though that might be partly a function of him playing less; he’s 6-for-45 with one extra-base hit since June 11.

Zimmerman’s blow increased the Nationals’ lead from one run to four in the bottom of the eighth. Zimmerman isn’t playing much of late with Josh Bell having heated up at first base, but he has nine homers in 142 plate appearances this season.

Bell was reportedly not seen taking batting practice before the game. Ryan Zimmerman will start in his place. More information on why Bell isn’t in the lineup should be available shortly.

Ryan Zimmerman made the start at first base on Sunday, but Bell is back in there against his former team. And yes, Kyle Schwarber is once again in the leadoff spot for Washington.