Williams outlines plans for Zimmerman at instructional league

By Pete Kerzel

Nationals

September 13, 2014, 3:55pm

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We now know what plans the Nationals have for Ryan Zimmerman.

Manager Matt Williams told reporters before Saturday's game at Citi Field that Zimmerman, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since July 23 with a right hamstring strain, will report to Viera, Fla., on Monday for a workout with the team's fall instructional league squad.

zimmerman-hr-swing-grey sidebar.jpg After Monday's workout, Zimmerman will begin a carefully monitored progression in instructional league games. He will play three innings in his first game, five in his second and seven in his third. After that, he will serve as a designated hitter for a game before playing a whole nine innings.

After he plays a full game, Zimmerman's progress will be re-evaluated and the Nationals will consider activating him for the remainder of the regular season.

Instructional league games are more loosely set up than Zimmerman would have gotten had he gone on a minor league rehabilitation assignment with one of the Nats' farm teams. For example, Zimmerman can lead off each inning as he works to get back his eye and timing at the plate.

Zimmerman has been running over the past several days, but has not yet gone at full speed. He'll need to do that before the Nats will consider activating him.

While in Viera, Zimmerman will play left field, third base and first base, Williams said. If Zimmerman is activated for the final week or so of the regular season, Williams has said he will be used at all of those positions, as well as serving as a pinch-hitter.