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  4. title => "Ryan Zimmerman's decision to skip spring training isn't why he had a slow start"
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  6. article_body => "<p>Back again is the never-ending topic of Ryan Zimmerman\u2019s 2018 spring training, which has turned into part folklore, part conspiracy theory, part inaccurate assessment.<\/p>\n<p>Zimmerman took two at-bats in formal spring training games last season. He spent most of his time working on the back fields, where he took dozens of at-bats and participated in basic fielding drills. The premise for him was simple: he wanted to protect his body heading into his age-34 season. Instead of traveling around Florida to take swings largely against minor-league or inferior pitching, he stayed behind. Then he started poorly, which led to a false causation-correlation leap around Zimmerman.<\/p>\n<p>Zimmerman said Wednesday on <a href=\"https:\/\/thefandc.radio.com\/media\/audio-channel\/112818-hour-2-ryan-zimmerman-mike-rizzo\">106.7 the Fan\u2019s \u201cGrant and Danny\u201d<\/a> that he was \u201cbanged up a little bit\u201d in spring training. He went on to say \u201cI wasn\u2019t injured, I had some things going on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This became clear during a season when an oblique injury lingered and limited Zimmerman. A mysterious calf injury came into the mix, too. He played 85 games \u2014 most in April, August and September \u2014 and ended up with a respectable .823 OPS.<\/p>\n<p>Zimmerman, like a lot of athletes, doesn\u2019t always provide the truth about his health. Which led to some confusion and projection about what was happening with him throughout the middle of the season.<\/p>\n<p>But, not playing in spring training became a strange fable in this case. Those hunting for a reason why Zimmerman started slow (.191 in April) attached the performance to what he did -- or did not -- do at the Nationals\u2019 facility in West Palm Beach. History shows us that\u2019s a silly notion.<\/p>\n<p>Zimmerman is among the streakiest hitters in baseball. His starts exemplify that. A sample of his April OPS is as follows:<\/p>\n<p>2013: .669<br>2014: 1.152 (just 28 at-bats)<br>2015: .657<br>2016: .602<br>2017: 1.344<br>2018: .642<\/p>\n<p>This is how Zimmerman works at the plate. He\u2019s great one month, bad the next, then arrives at the end with quality numbers (if healthy).<\/p>\n<p>April is the second-worst month of his career by OPS. Obviously, Zimmerman has fully participated and barely participated in spring training games during his 14 years in the major leagues. That decision has no evidential influence on his results in April.<\/p>\n<p>Zimmerman went on to tell Grant and Danny he will play a few games this spring but will not play most. As we\u2019ve seen with him, nothing is more crucial than his health. He\u2019s trying to preserve it.<\/p>\n<p>He also has one other enormous issue hanging over this season: it could be his last. Zimmerman is on the books for an $18 million club option in 2020. If he doesn\u2019t produce this season at an upper-tier level, it\u2019s unlikely that option is picked up. In general, it\u2019s unlikely that option will be picked up as is. And that decision won\u2019t have anything to do with where Zimmerman swings during February in Florida.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>MORE NATIONALS NEWS:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Harper at first?<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/yankees-have-so-much-money-they-are-thinking-about-paying-bryce-harper-not-play-outfield\">&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/yankees-have-so-much-money-they-are-thinking-about-paying-bryce-harper-not-play-outfield\">The Yankees are thinking about paying Harper to not play&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/yankees-have-so-much-money-they-are-thinking-about-paying-bryce-harper-not-play-outfield\">outfield<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Another catcher?<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/nats-could-add-another-catcher-beyond-suzuki-dont-expect-it-be-jt-realmuto\">&nbsp;Nats could add&nbsp;catcher, but don't expect it to be Realmuto<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Stand pat?&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/stand-pat-or-hunt-replacements-second-base\">Should the Nats hunt for a replacement at second base?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Nationals

Nationals

Back again is the never-ending topic of Ryan Zimmerman’s 2018 spring training, which has turned into part folklore, part conspiracy theory, part inaccurate assessment.

Zimmerman took two at-bats in formal spring training games last season. He spent most of his time working on the back fields, where he took dozens of at-bats and participated in basic fielding drills. The premise for him was simple: he wanted to protect his body heading into his age-34 season. Instead of traveling around Florida to take swings largely against minor-league or inferior pitching, he stayed behind. Then he started poorly, which led to a false causation-correlation leap around Zimmerman.

Zimmerman said Wednesday on 106.7 the Fan’s “Grant and Danny” that he was “banged up a little bit” in spring training. He went on to say “I wasn’t injured, I had some things going on.”

This became clear during a season when an oblique injury lingered and limited Zimmerman. A mysterious calf injury came into the mix, too. He played 85 games — most in April, August and September — and ended up with a respectable .823 OPS.

Zimmerman, like a lot of athletes, doesn’t always provide the truth about his health. Which led to some confusion and projection about what was happening with him throughout the middle of the season.

But, not playing in spring training became a strange fable in this case. Those hunting for a reason why Zimmerman started slow (.191 in April) attached the performance to what he did -- or did not -- do at the Nationals’ facility in West Palm Beach. History shows us that’s a silly notion.

 

Zimmerman is among the streakiest hitters in baseball. His starts exemplify that. A sample of his April OPS is as follows:

2013: .669
2014: 1.152 (just 28 at-bats)
2015: .657
2016: .602
2017: 1.344
2018: .642

This is how Zimmerman works at the plate. He’s great one month, bad the next, then arrives at the end with quality numbers (if healthy).

April is the second-worst month of his career by OPS. Obviously, Zimmerman has fully participated and barely participated in spring training games during his 14 years in the major leagues. That decision has no evidential influence on his results in April.

Zimmerman went on to tell Grant and Danny he will play a few games this spring but will not play most. As we’ve seen with him, nothing is more crucial than his health. He’s trying to preserve it.

He also has one other enormous issue hanging over this season: it could be his last. Zimmerman is on the books for an $18 million club option in 2020. If he doesn’t produce this season at an upper-tier level, it’s unlikely that option is picked up. In general, it’s unlikely that option will be picked up as is. And that decision won’t have anything to do with where Zimmerman swings during February in Florida.

MORE NATIONALS NEWS: