Zimmerman plays five innings in left field for Potomac, goes 1-for-3

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (right thumb fracture) went 1-for-3 with a single in his second rehab game for high Single-A Potomac Saturday night, playing for the first time in left field. He played five innings. There was a standing room only crowd of 7,000 at Pfitzner Stadium. "It felt good," Zimmerman said. "I think just getting my legs back under me and getting on the field and being in the pace of the game instead of DHing is always nice. So we will kind of continue to do that for a couple more days and see where we are at after that." Zimmerman also was not sure if he was playing Sunday in Potomac or Monday night, or both games, but he did believe he would play left field again. "I don't know yet," Zimmerman said. "I would assume left field, but I have never played there before. As many reps as I can get here kind of makes sense." Zimmerman had one play toward him, a liner to left of where he was playing, he caught up to it and threw back to the cutoff man. The hitter ended up at second base. "It is tough to see at the beginning with the sun and the things like that," Zimmerman said. "Broke the wrong way, but recovered, got the ball, got in to the cutoff man. "Hopefully I will have many more plays down here and can get some some experience out there, but like you said, I didn't get too much tonight." Zimmerman went into more of the reasoning as to why he would play in the outfield again prior to being activated. "I know I can play third and first base is a lot easier to adjust to than left field," Zimmerman said. "So while we are down here, I think the smart thing to do is to get as much reps and as many innings in left field, the place I have never really played, try get some experience there before I head back up there." Zimmerman is still using one of Jayson Werth's outfield gloves. He anticipates playing nine innings at least once before heading back to D.C. "If everything continues to go as it has," Zimmerman said. "I think Tuesday is a reasonable target date, but that can always change." Zimmerman said it is good to get rehab games in Potomac because he can see a lot of pitches without getting out too quickly. He has seen a good share of changeups and sliders to help him get back into a good rhythm at the plate.