Zimmerman's rehab continues; notes on bullpen, Sunday's starter

Ryan Zimmerman went 1-for-1 with a walk in his first rehab game Friday for Double-A Harrisburg. Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Zimmerman and his right foot came out of the game OK. The veteran first baseman has been on the injured list since April 28, missing 48 games, with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

"A little sore today. But feels good," Martinez said. "Ran first to third, walk, ran first to third, was OK, we will see how he feels today. He's scheduled to play again today and then we'll go from there."

Is this soreness something to be concerned about?

"Just normal. He hasn't played in a game," Martinez said. "We figured he was going to be but he said his foot felt OK."

Martinez said the plan is to have Zimmerman play seven innings tonight in the Senators game against the Bowie Baysox. But because Harrisburg plays a day game tomorrow, he will return to D.C. after tonight's contest.

"He had five yesterday and ramps up today," Martinez said. "We'll see how he feels. He goes five, seven (innings), great. Then we will take it from there.

"We will see how he feels today. Right now, he is scheduled to play tonight and then because of the turnaround, they play a day game tomorrow, we'd rather him just stay here."

* Martinez still has not made a decision about Sunday's starter. Right-hander Joe Ross was available in the bullpen yesterday but was not put into the game. Ross seems to be the likely choice. But if the Nats get into trouble tonight and either need Ross or possibly decide to move up left-hander Patrick Corbin to start Sunday with a Monday off-day remains to be seen.

"No. Really, honestly, haven't decided yet," Martinez said. "We will just see how it plays out tonight, how the game plays out."

* Martinez said the bullpen should be good to go today, but wants to see how they look after throwing today. As for Wander Suero, who has appeared in three straight games, is he possible tonight out of the 'pen?

"We will see after he throws (pregame)," Martinez said.

The bullpen has put together successful stint after successful stint recently. The numbers demonstrate their recent trend, not allowing big innings or game-changing hits, to the tune of a 2.75 ERA since May 31.

So one question for Martinez in the eighth inning is: Would he prefer one guy to be the setup man or get the job done by committee? Suero, Tanner Rainey and now even Trevor Rosenthal have shown an ability to get key outs in the eighth. Martinez said those three relievers are doing well in that setup role, but also the rest of the bullpen has made the most of their opportunities all June.

"They are doing what they are capable of doing," Martinez said. "Their role is set by how they prepare themselves and how well they do and they are doing really well. Adding Rainey, doing what he's done. Getting Javy (Guerra) doing what he's done. (Tony) Sipp finally pitching the way we thought he'd pitch. All these guys just doing (their job). Rosenthal, if we can get him back, consistently throwing like he did yesterday. That sets up everything. If we can get the ball to (Sean) Doolittle in the ninth, we are going to be in great shape."

A lot was made of Rosenthal getting over the hump with a gigantic out in a big situation in the series opener, after so many wild moments for him earlier in the season. Another big headline from Friday's 4-3 win over the Braves was the ironman performance put in by Suero.

"The big thing with Suero was back-to-back days," Martinez said. "Yesterday he proved that he could go back-to-back-to-back days, so that's kind of nice. The fact that he came out and threw 97 mph was a bonus. And now for his mind, his psyche, he knows he can do it. Not saying that we are going to do that all the time with him but at least now he knows that he can stretch himself out and get big outs when we need him to get big outs."