Martinez doesn't want Zimmerman to "tinker" with swing despite .111 avg.

NEW YORK - A lot of talk in pregame with Nationals manager Davey Martinez about the plight of first baseman Ryan Zimmerman. In his 14th season, he has struggled out of the blocks to a .111 average with just two extra base hits and 5 RBIs in 17 games.

Last night, Zimmerman went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. Martinez said he does not get the sense that Zimmerman is frustrated or searching for answers.

"He's been great. He really has," Martinez said. "He's a professional. The other day I joked around with him and I pulled up some information and told him he was in the top three in exit velocity off the bat in the major leagues.

"I look at his at-bats and he hits the ball hard. He really does. I have no concerns right now. I've said before you look back in his career and his April's have not been very good. I think right now he's doing well by having good at-bats."

Zimmerman's career April average is .261, only June is worse at .236. But every other month Zimmerman has averaged at least a .286 average or better in May, July (.302), August (.294) and September/October (.290). His home run total of 37 in April is also the lowest of any of the six months in his regular season career.

Martinez added a foot note to his exit velocity stat sheet he handed Zimmerman to get him to loosen up a bit.

"At the bottom I had an asterisk and I said he was number one in hard hit balls so keep swinging," Martinez said. "He started laughing. He'll get going. I know he will."

Last season Zimmerman was named a National league All-Star and the National League Comeback Player of the Year when he hit .303 with 33 doubles, 36 homers and 108 RBIs. So with such a struggle to start this season, does Martinez want Zimmerman to adjust his approach?

"We don't want him to tinker," Martinez noted. "He's swinging the bat really well. He is. One hit here, one hit there. He'll be in a good shape."

Martinez also will keep Zimmerman in the clean-up spot despite just six hits in his last 59 plate appearances. He is batting .087 in the No. 4 hole, and only .095 with runners in scoring position.

"Absolutely. He's a guy that needs to be in big moments," Martinez said. "I feel that way. I've watched him from the other side for many years. Unbelievable. He could carry a team for a month or two so I want him up there in big moments."

Martinez was also asked again about Zimmerman playing in just one spring training game and if that decision has contributed to his slow start.

"The biggest concern about him not participating in games in spring training was everybody felt he was hurt," Martinez confirmed. "That wasn't the case. We were just trying to keep in healthy so that he could play for opening day and not have any setbacks. He's done that so far."