Zimmerman arrives in Viera, LaRoche reacts to being named award finalist

Ryan Zimmerman has reported to the Nationals' fall instructional league camp in Viera, Fla., and was scheduled to undergo a full workout today.

The next step in Zimmerman's rehabilitation from the right hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined since July 23 will be three innings in the field in a simulated game Tuesday. Because instructional league games have not begun, the Nationals will schedule simulated contests to accommodate Zimmerman until fall play begins.

For starters, Zimmerman will play first base, Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters this afternoon in Atlanta, where his team begins a three-game series with the Braves with an opportunity to clinch the National League East title with two victories.

"It's a shorter distance for him to turn and run and get into game situations. ... We want to make sure he's on his feet for three innings," Williams said.

Until the Nats are sure he can withstand the rigors of playing the field, Zimmerman won't be hitting. But the structure of simulated games followed by instructional league action affords the Nats the opportunity to get Zimmerman as many at-bats as he needs when the Nats feel he's ready.

After Tuesday, Zimmerman is scheduled to play five innings, serve as a designated hitter, play seven innings and then go nine innings. Williams said Zimmerman would move between first base, third base and left field.

But the manager again declined to put any kind of timetable on when Zimmerman could be activated from the disabled list and return to the Nationals.

"It depends on how he feels and how things go. You never know until you get out there," Williams said.

First baseman Adam LaRoche said he was honored to find out that he was included among the finalists for the 2014 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, which is named for the former baseball labor leader and recognizes a player who inspires others to higher level of achievement by his on-field performance and contributions to the community.

"It's just an honor," LaRoche said. "I've made it pretty obvious that my impact on people, not just in this game or what I've done statistically, but how we treat people and how we handle and represent ourselves is more important to me than on-field achievements or stats. That's why this is really cool."

LaRoche was cited for his work with the Wounded Warrior Project at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he regularly visits veterans during their rehabilitation and recovery. LaRoche also brings Wounded Warriors to Nationals Park, where they recently took batting practice before a game. He has invited Wounded Warriors and their families to hunting trips at the ranch at his offseason home in Fort Scott, Kan.

Last December, LaRoche visited troops in Italy, Germany, Greece and Afghanistan on the USO Holiday Tour at the invitation of Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

LaRoche remembers his introduction to the wounded veterans, which predated his signing with the Nationals as a free agent during the offseason in 2011.

"It was early on, coming into D.C. to play the Nats - I can't remember whether it was with Atlanta or Pittsburgh - but we got to visit the original Walter Reed Hospital," he recalled. "I got to do that for a couple of years - anytime there was an opportunity I got over there to see those guys. Obviously, when I signed here, it was a lot more convenient."