Zimmerman likely done for 2018, focused on new winter plan

DENVER - It doesn't look like the Nationals are going to take any chances playing Ryan Zimmerman this weekend and will shut down the veteran first baseman with back tightness.

Zimmerman, who tweaked his bat swinging during Wednesday's home finale in Washington, wasn't in Friday night's lineup against the Rockies and he's again not in tonight's lineup. With nothing left to play for - aside from impacting Colorado's playoff position - manager Davey Martinez doesn't sound inclined to pencil Zimmerman into his lineup for Sunday's season finale.

"Yeah, I think at this point I don't want to push the envelope with him," Martinez said. "The last thing I want to do is for him to reinjure himself really bad and then have to rehab for two months over the wintertime."

Thus, Zimmerman figures to end his season with a .264 batting average, 13 homers, 51 RBIs and an .824 OPS in 85 games. The production was solid, especially during the second half (.911 OPS since the All-Star break), but the Nationals know they need their veteran slugger in the lineup more than 85 times in 2019.

With that in mind, Martinez talked to Zimmerman, who turned 34 on Friday, recently about making some modifications to his offseason training program, with an emphasis on improving his agility.

"We need him to really focus on getting healthy this winter and coming to spring training ready to go," the manager said. "Because he's a big part of our lineup. He's our leader. He's our quiet leader. When he's out there, we play a lot better. Everybody understands that. We need him."

What about spring training? Zimmerman notoriously stayed out of Grapefruit League games this year, getting nearly all of his work on back fields in minor league games, drawing some criticism. Martinez suggested the plan will be changed in 2019, which is the final season Zimmerman is guaranteed to be under contract. (The Nationals hold an $18 million option for 2020.)

"It all depends on Zim, really, and how he comes to spring training," Martinez said. "But he understands that we're better with him on the field than without him. He's going to do everything he can to get ready for spring training. And I told him: 'Getting you in games in spring training, getting you ready for the season, will help. Last year we did things differently. But I need you to really get going.'

"With that said, we want to be smart, also. The goal is not to have him ready until March 28. So we'll be smart about that."