Zimmerman intends to keep playing in 2021, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmerman has been fading toward retirement for quite a few years now, with injuries limiting him to just 52 largely ineffective games in 2019 before he opted out of the 2020 campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic. He's previously stated that he won't play anywhere other than Washington, while there's a chance the only club the 36-year-old has ever played for will want him back for at least one more year on a cheap deal. The Nationals currently have a significant hole at first base, though they may wait to see how the rest of the offseason pans out before turning to Zimmerman once more.

Zimmerman informed the Nationals on Monday that he has opted out of playing during the 2020 season, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmerman's decision comes less than a week after he outlined his concerns about how playing during the COVID-19 pandemic could compromise the immune systems of his wife and newborn baby in an essay posted by the Associated Press. Along with Zimmerman, teammate Joe Ross has also elected not to play in 2020, leaving the Nationals with less depth at first base and in the rotation, respectively. With Zimmerman out of the mix, the Nationals could lean more heavily on Howie Kendrick as the primary platoon mate at first base with the left-handed-hitting Eric Thames. Zimmerman will forgo his $6.25 million salary in 2020 and hit free agency in the offseason, but it's unclear if the soon-to-be 37-year-old will have interest in resuming his career in 2021.

Zimmerman is part of the Nationals' 60-man player pool, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was some speculation Zimmerman might elect to sit out the season, as he has a newborn baby and his wife has a compromised immune system, but it appears as though he's informed the Nats that he's ready to go. The 35-year-old could fill the short side of a platoon with Eric Thames at first base and see some action at DH, but at this stage of his career, Zimmerman's primary role is likely to be as a bench bat.

Zimmerman told Howard Fendrich of the Associated Press that he hasn't decided whether he's going to play during the 2020 season due to his family situation.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmerman has a newborn son and his mother falls into the high-risk category with multiple sclerosis, so it makes sense he's hesitant as committing to playing could mean he's separated from them until a couple weeks after the season is over. The veteran first baseman didn't indicate when he expects to make a decision, but teams must submit an official 60-man roster pool by Sunday afternoon.

Zimmerman got the start at first base Thursday and went 0-for-2 before exiting the game.

EDGE Analysis

The brittle veteran was seeing his first action of the spring, and while he didn't collect any hits he was making good contact. Zimmerman will likely platoon at first base with Eric Thames this year, removing a lot of wear and tear from the 35-year-old. Zimmerman has played more than 115 games only once in the last six seasons, and even if he stays healthy his reduced role won't afford him much of a chance to top that figure in 2020.

Zimmerman declared himself fully healthy Monday and said he won't face any restrictions during spring training, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old spent two extended stints on the injured list last season on account of plantar fasciitis, but he was able to make it back to action in September, playing a limited role for the Nationals as the team claimed its first World Series title. After having his pricey player option declined in the offseason, Zimmerman re-upped with Washington on a one-year, $2 million deal, an affordable contract that should allow him to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster as a backup first baseman. The right-handed-hitting Zimmerman will likely fill the short side of a platoon at the position with Eric Thames.

Zimmerman signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Nationals on Friday, Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals have added some talent at first base over the offseason, signing Eric Thames to a one-year, $4 million deal, making Zimmerman's path to playing time more difficult. The veteran slashed .257/.321/.415 with six home runs and 27 RBI over 52 contests a season ago with Washington and figures to share time at first base in 2020.

The Nationals are declining Zimmerman's $18 million club option for 2020, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmerman performed well enough in the playoffs with a .255/.317/.418 slash line in 16 games, but he was limited to 52 games in the regular season, so it's no real surprise to see the Nationals willing to fork out $2 million for the buyout. The 35-year-old spent the first 15 years of his career in Washington, and the team is unsurprisingly interested in bringing him back at a reduced figure.

Zimmerman is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmerman started Saturday's game, but as has been the case regularly the last week, Howie Kendrick will get the start at first base in Sunday's series finale.

Zimmerman is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmerman hit three homers over the first 11 days of September, but he has started just three games since, and will cede the starting first base duties to Howie Kendrick on Friday for the fourth time in five games.