NATIONALS NOTEBOOK
Zimmerman Gets In a Few 'Dry Swings'
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Wednesday, July 2, 2008
MIAMI, July 1 -- Ryan Zimmerman called them "dry swings" -- just a few hacks with the bat, no pitcher, no tee, no ball. He took 40 swings, broken into two sets and separated by a short rest. "I'm a little out of shape," he said.
Still, for the Washington Nationals' third baseman, those dry swings were a means for getting his feet wet -- as well as a sign of encouragement that his rehabilitation program is working. Until Tuesday, Zimmerman, on the disabled list for a month with a small labral tear in his left shoulder, hadn't swung a bat since an ill-fated attempt at batting practice during a series against Arizona at the end of May.
Zimmerman said the swings "felt good," and he spoke with guarded optimism about beginning a rehab assignment after the all-star break -- though season-ending surgery has not been ruled out. When the Nationals travel to Cincinnati this week to face the Reds, Zimmerman will receive a checkup from Tim Kremchek, the orthopedist who has overseen his recovery.
In recent weeks, Zimmerman has tried to facilitate his shoulder recovery with a program of rest and strengthening exercises. He notices improvement even in small ways. A month ago, for instance, it hurt to tear the sheets from his bed when he woke up. Now, quick movements with his shoulder no longer cause pain.
"Well, I know it's a lot stronger," he said. "It doesn't really hurt with day-to-day activities like it used to."
López Back in the Lineup
Second baseman Felipe López reappeared in the starting lineup Tuesday for just the second time in seven days. Though López felt uncertain about his role, he said he hadn't spoken with Manager Manny Acta -- and felt no need.
"Yeah, [not playing] matters, but that's not something I can worry about right now," Lopez said. "I'm concentrating on working. Swinging. Not really fixing my swing, but keep working, hitting in the cages. I just need to start getting hits. Simple. Get hits, you play."
A day earlier, López had arrived 90 minutes late to Dolphins Stadium for what Acta called a "family issue." López declined to elaborate.
