Nationals Ryan Zimmerman confident rehab game has him ready to return

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was able to pass a big test in his return from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday on a cool night at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Va. Zimmerman played third base for the Potomac Nationals in his lone rehab start to test the recovery of a sore hamstring, and despite an 0-for-3 performance, he felt his swing and timing are back. "Everything feels good," Zimmerman said. "I think seeing some live pitching was good. I saw pretty much every pitch, fastball, slider, change up. It is always nice to get some of that before you get right back into it." Zimmerman said even in spring training his hitting was always the easiest thing to get back from the off season. But running down the line to first, working the third base bag and starting and stopping on the bases were more of the ultimate test for the hamstring. He passed. "Hitting has always been the first thing to come back for me," Zimmerman said. "It is more just getting into game shape and then being able to be in the field for nine innings and run the bases. So everything feels good." Zimmerman's arrived in Pittsburgh Thursday night and will be activated tonight for the series opener against the Pirates. He has been on the disabled list since April 18.