Gonzalez, Fister and Zimmermann throw first bullpen sessions of spring (with workout photos)

VIERA, Fla. - Jordan Zimmermann took a break from his first bullpen session of the spring Sunday morning, exiting the fenced-in area where the 'pen mounds are located and making a pair of hard right turns to get to the water jug.

As he was en route to quench his thirst, a fan next to quench his thirst, the guy next to the jug called out, "That (18-inning National League Division Series) game was a heartbreaker." Zimmermann offered a half-hearted smile, rolled his eyes and sarcastically replied, "You don't have to keep bringing it up."

The fan quicky backpedaled and offered an apology, but Zimmermann told him it was OK before returning to his work. If you thought Saturday's initial bullpen session of camp was packed with star power - with $210 million man Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, the right-handers who will be perched atop arguably the top rotation in the majors this season - Sunday's session featured just as much pitching prowess.

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez and righties Doug Fister and Zimmermann were side-by-side-by-side on the bullpen mounds. The assembled gallery included just about every top decision-maker in the Nationals organization from principal owner Mark Lerner to general manager Mike Rizzo to assistant GM Doug Harris to vice president of player personnel Bob Boone to manager Matt Williams to pitching coach Steve McCatty.

Spin Williams was there, too, and the Nats' minor league pitching coordinator was confusing a few of the fans in attendance. Sporting his No. 0 jersey with his last name across the shoulders, Williams confounded onlookers who wondered whether Matt Williams had changed his uniform number or aged unusually fast after his first season at the team's helm.

One of the subsuquent bullpen sessions featured right-handed reliever Evan Meek, who displayed a deceptive short-armed delivery that kept catcher Spencer Kieboom on his toes. The 31-year-old Meek is in camp as a non-roster invitee after inking a minor league contract. He rode the shuttle between the Orioles and their Triple-A Norfolk affiliate last season, posting an 0-4 record and a5.79 ERA in 23 games, making Baltimore's opening day roster as a non-roster after signing a minor league deal last offseason following a tryout at Camden Yards on the day of the team's annual FanFest.

Meek was once considered a potential closer for the Pirates, but his 2010 All-Star season seems longer than five years ago, and he's worked to recover from injuries and inconsistency. He's a long shot to earn a spot in a bullpen where there might be only one spot up for grabs in spring training, but he could provide veteran insurance at Triple-A Syracuse should someone get hurt or falter.

Here are some other images from Sunday's workout:

Jerry Blevins plays catch with Craig Stammen during Sunday's drills.

A young Nats fan waits patiently to add another autograph to her baseball.

Reliever Rafael Martin lays down a bunt.

Catchers Wilson Ramos, Sandy Leon and Jose Lobaton share a laugh during a break between bullpen sessions.

No, manager Matt Williams hasn't changed his number. No. 0 is minor league pitching coordinator Spin Williams.

Fielding practice at Space Coast Stadium, with batting practice to follow.