Zimmermann hopes to rehab in Potomac early July

Nationals righthander Jordan Zimmermann pitched off the mound Friday at Nationals Park, going two innings and 35 pitches as he continues recovery from Tommy John surgery conducted last year. "It was definitely nice to get out of Florida. The heat was killing me. It felt good to get back on the mound and be in this atmosphere again is nice." Jordan used his entire repertoire and threw at top velocity. "I have been throwing 100 percent for awhile now. I haven't had a setback, knock on wood. Everything is going perfectly." "I threw all my pitches today and I did pretty well. I was locating pretty well." Manager Jim Riggleman was impressed with the outing. "He threw the ball very well. It was very encouraging that he has responded well to the surgery and to the throwing sessions he has had since then. "We are crossing our fingers and hopefully we will have him back in a reasonable amount of time. It really would be nice to get him back." Zimmermann will have another side session planned before the final game of the White Sox series and has been throwing every few days. "Sunday will be a bullpen session. 20 to 25 pitches, nice and easy, keep my arm in shape and get ready for Tuesday." Jordan has been keeping loose between sessions with strength exercising for the arm and long toss. Zimmermann says they progressed from one inning to three innings during his recovery work in Florida. He is excited that he could return to the Nationals sooner than expected and has been told that he is ahead of schedule in recovery. He could be in Woodbridge in just two weeks. "I think I am heading to Potomac at the beginning of July some time. The rehab starts there. Hopefully everything goes well and I can make it up here by the end of the year."