Zimmermann to focus on changeup tonight

Nationals right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann gets another rehab start tonight in Woodbridge with the Potomac Nationals facing the Kinston Indians at 7:03 p.m.at Pfitzner Stadium. This will be the 24-year-old Zimmermann's third rehab start and he is expecting to go four innings with a cap of 60-65 pitches. Zimmermann has worked this week primarily on his changeup. Pitching coach Paul Menhart told me he would like to see more changeups from Zimmermann tonight and that will be their main focus. Zimmermann pretty much dominated Thursday at Frederick, going three innings, striking out five, walking no one, allowing one hit and no runs on 39 pitches. Thursday, A.J. Morris gets the call for a special 12 noon first pitch in Woodbridge. Morris is the Kansas State product who finished second to Stephen Strasburg last year for the Golden Spikes Award (this year's award went to Nationals number one selection Bryce Harper). Menhart told me Morris needs to continue to get the reps and the experience of starting and needs to build trust in his stuff. Morris just made four starts with the GCL Nationals, going 0-0 with a 3.21 ERA, totaling 14 innings. They wanted to build his innings back up as he recovered from taking a line drive off his calf. Tomorrow afternoon is his first start with the P-Nats since the middle of June.