It was a little more than 10 months ago that Jordan Zimmermann received the diagnosis every pitcher dreads: The elbow pain that plagued him for weeks meant he needed Tommy John surgery. That procedure puts the average pitcher on the disabled list for 12 to 18 months. Not only was Zimmermann’s 2009 rookie season finished, but 2010 was washed out, too.
Only no one pegged Zimmermann to be such a fast healer. The 24-year-old right-hander continues to shred the normal rehab schedule for Tommy John. On Tuesday, he threw a second bullpen session for Nats officials and again looked good. His velocity is creeping into the low 90s. When the team goes back on the road at the end of the week, Zimmermann — who has been hanging around the Nats clubhouse for several days — will head back to Viera, Fla., to continue his throwing program at the organization’s spring-training complex.
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In fact, general manager Mike Rizzo says Zimmermann is now weeks — not months — away from making his first minor league rehab start. No guaranteed timetable yet, but he certainly could pitch again in Washington sometime in August if there are no setbacks.
“He threw the ball well,” Rizzo said before Tuesday’s game against Kansas City. “But he feels good after that kind of effort. That’s probably as important if not more so.”
When Zimmermann returns to Florida, the organization will plot his next move. That could be a stint at low-A Hagerstown or maybe even Single-A Potomac. But as good as he feels, Rizzo is still being conservative. When Zimmermann started pumping 94 mph fastballs in Viera earlier this month they shut him down. Yes, he felt fine. But the Nats still respect the rehab process. Rizzo sent Zimmermann home for a few days of rest and then brought him to Washington.
Whatever happens this season, Zimmermann’s improvement gives the Nats a head start on 2011 — the one prospect in the system who could become a legitimate power pitcher. He struck out 92 batters in 16 starts last season and walked just 29. That’s a pretty nice one-two punch with Stephen Strasburg and sets up serious competition for the final three spots.
