WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Zimmerman and the Nationals attempted a rather ambitious approach to Spring Training a year ago for the veteran first baseman. In an attempt to preserve his body and keep him healthy entering the season, Zimmerman spent most of his time during the spring working on backfields and getting at-bats in Minor League games.
He appeared in just one Spring Training game and received two at-bats, despite the fact that he and the team repeatedly insisted he was perfectly healthy. Naturally, it opened Zimmerman up to criticism when he started the season out slow at the plate and eventually missed about half a season with injuries anyway.