Zimmerman went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The Nats ambushed Mets pitching for seven home runs, and Zimmerman joined in the fun with his first long ball of the spring. The veteran first baseman has only managed a .200/.294/.467 slash line through 17 plate appearances this spring, but the most important thing is that he's healthy -- no small accomplishment for a player who's suited up for more than 115 games only once in the last five seasons.

Zimmerman went 0-for-2 and played three innings at first base in his first Grapefruit League action Saturday, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

While the veteran did have a delayed beginning to his spring, the Nats don't plan to keep him out of game action entirely the way they did last March. "When things are good and my body is good, I'm going to play pretty regularly," Zimmerman said after Saturday's game. "If something comes up and my body doesn't feel good, then I'm not going to play." Manager Dave Martinez is on the same page. "The biggest thing is to keep him healthy throughout spring training," Martinez said. "Get his at-bats, but get him in the games. I told him, I want to see him playing more so that he can move his feet, play defense and run around the bases and things of that nature. But he felt good." Zimmerman has played more than 115 games only once in the last five seasons, so expecting a full workload from him in 2019 is foolhardy, but with Matt Adams back to give him plenty of rest, the 34-year-old at least could be healthier and more productive when he is in the lineup.

Zimmerman (illness) will make his spring debut Saturday, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmerman's first appearance of the spring was pushed back a couple days because of his illness, but he is now ready to get on the field. Zimmerman will man first base and hit cleanup in the Nationals' batting order.

Zimmerman (illness) is expected to be in the starting lineup for Saturday's spring game against the Twins, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmerman was scratched from his spring debut Wednesday and the team wanted to remain cautious, so they decided to give him a couple days to recover from the stomach illness. The veteran first baseman wanted to play Friday, but will instead have to wait another day to take the field.

Zimmerman (illness) is not listed in the lineup for Friday's spring game against the Marlins, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmerman was originally set to make his spring debut Wednesday but was scratched due to a stomach illness. The team was hopeful for a return to the lineup Friday, but the veteran first baseman apparently needs some more time to recover.

Zimmerman isn't available to play in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros due to an illness, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals intended to have Zimmerman make his spring debut Wednesday, but those plans were nixed when he fell victim to a stomach bug that has been going around the clubhouse of late. Per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, the Nationals are hopeful that with a couple days to recover, Zimmerman will be ready to debut Friday versus the Marlins.

Zimmerman isn't included in the Nationals' lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Dave Martinez indicated a day earlier that Zimmerman was on track to make his spring debut Wednesday, but the Nationals might have decided to err on the side of caution and hold the veteran out with thunderstorms expected to hit West Palm Beach, Fla. throughout the afternoon. Zimmerman was sidelined for two months last season due to an oblique injury and battled back stiffness in September, but he entered spring training at full health and is merely being eased into action ahead of his age-34 campaign.

Zimmerman is likely to make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday versus the Astros, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Dave Martinez relayed earlier in camp that he expected Zimmerman to make his spring debut at some February, and that prediction will hold true unless poor weather conditions Wednesday in West Palm Beach end up nixing those plans. Zimmerman missed more than two months with an oblique injury in 2018 and battled some back stiffness late in the campaign, so the Nationals have deliberately delayed his spring debut to ensure he's in optimal shape for Opening Day. The 34-year-old is again poised to serve as the Nationals' everyday first baseman, though his advanced age could make him a candidate to receive more frequent rest days than he's seen in past years.

Zimmerman (back) won't return to the lineup Sunday against Colorado, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmerman's back issue didn't appear to be a major one, but there's little sense pushing an injury-prone veteran with the Nationals already eliminated from the playoffs. The 34-year-old will end the season with a .264/.337/.486 line and 13 homers in 85 games.

Zimmerman (back) remains on the bench for Saturday's game against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmerman sits for the second straight game while battling a back issue. With just one game remaining and the Nationals out of the playoffs, he could be done for the year. Mark Reynolds starts at first base in his absence.