RHP Jordan Zimmermann, recovering from last August's Tommy John surgery, made his second successful rehab start for the Potomac Nationals today, against Carolina League opponent Frederick.
Zimmermann threw 45 pitches in three innings, 30 for strikes. He did not allow a run and gave up one hit and one hit batter in the three frames. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.
According to multiple reports, Zimmermann was low-90s with his fastball, and according to MASN.com's Byron Kerr, a scout he spoke with had Zimmermann hit 96 at one point.
The Nationals have been extremely cautious with Zimmermann's recovery, as he is still less than a year out from surgery. Typically in Tommy John cases, a pitcher takes 12-18 months to get back to the mound, and Zimmermann has had no setbacks in his treatment.
The team does not have a set timetable for his return, but generally, Minor League rehab assignments for Major League pitchers can last up to 30 days (as opposed to 20 days for position players), pursuant to Rule 9(f) of the Major League Rules.
Zimmermann's 30 days would be up August 2. He could be outrighted to the minor leagues at any point in the rehab assignment if the club felt like he needed more time in the minors to build strength in his arm and regain feel with his breaking balls.
But Nats fans are already envisioning the latter part of August when they can witness Zimmermann's return to a big league mound and be part of a starting rotation with Stephen Strasburg.
Or to replace Strasburg when he's shut down for the season.
I think they will overlap a coulpe weeks before that happens. But yes, Stras will almost certainly be shut down in ealry September.