Zimmermann not worried after rough start, Nats make roster moves in crunch time

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals were shut out for the second consecutive day, as the Marlins pounded starter Jordan Zimmermann right out of the gates en route to an 8-0 loss in the seventh and final meeting between the two clubs in Grapefruit League play.

Marlins first baseman Michael Morse and right fielder Giancarlo Stanton both belted deep homers off Zimmermann, who allowed all eight runs, seven earned, on nine hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

"It's spring training, that's a good thing," Zimmermann said. "You can throw it away. It doesn't count against me. I felt fine, it was just that location was an issue today. I feel good. I'm ready to go. It just wasn't a good day today. Glad it happened now and not during the season."

Nationals manager Matt Williams said Zimmermann will throw one bullpen session between now and next Wednesday when he's scheduled to make his first official start of the season in the second game against the Mets.

The homers by Morse and Stanton were the first two that Zimmermann allowed all spring. Left fielder Christian Yelich also drove in two on a triple in the second.

"They're good," Zimmermann said about his National League East rivals. "They've got a really good lineup and got some good pitchers over there, so they're gonna be a battle all year to play against."

After the game, Williams announced that the Nationals have reassigned right-hander Rafael Martin and infielder Ian Stewart to minor league camp.

"Stewie swung the bat really well," Williams said. "Rafy made just about every trip for us and got in late in games and closed some games out for us. They both played well."

Stewart, a seven-year veteran, performed well after coming to camp on a minor league contract. He batted .273 with three home runs, two doubles and four RBIs. Williams likes Stewart's left-handed bat and ability to play multiple infield positions.

Martin, 30, allowed just three earned runs in 33 2/3 innings for Triple-A Syracuse last year. He had similar results this spring, pitching to a 1.35 ERA in eight appearances.

"He just gets people out," Williams said. "He just changes speeds, throws it where he wants to. Good slider. He's able to control both sides of the plate with his slider and a surprise fastball, too. He just throws strikes, works quickly and fields his position."

The latest moves leave the Nationals most likely down to a decision between left-handed first basemen/outfielders Mike Carp and Clint Robinson for a final bench spot, assuming that infielders Dan Uggla and Danny Espinosa will make the team.

Carp probably had the inside track when he showed up for spring training, based on his experience as a versatile bench player for the world champion Red Sox two seasons ago. Carp, 28, has 1,000 plate appearances in the majors to just 14 for the 30-year-old Robinson. But Robinson has been one of the Nats' pleasant surprises of spring training, batting .327 with two homers, a triple, five doubles and eight RBIs while Carp has hit a dismal .189.

"That's why both those guys are still in consideration," Williams said. "Clint's had a great spring. It's short and it's repeatable. Mike's got track record and has done it. So that's why they're both still here and playing for us, and we're gonna give them ample opportunity the last couple games."