Ryan Zimmerman and the Washington Nationals may be moving closer to an agreement on a long-term extension, but the deal is not done and the third baseman has not signed off on anything.
The sides have talked in the past week - even though Zimmerman has maintained all along that he didn’t want to negotiate during the season - and have zeroed in on the framework of a contract that would run through at least 2013 and average about $9 million a season.
Zimmerman, though, has not been involved in the talks and was blindsided Friday when asked about the possibility.
“I haven’t heard anything,” he said. “Unless they’re talking or doing something, I don’t know. I’m just worried about playing.”
The Nationals and Zimmerman have attempted to work out a contract for more than two years. But when a deal wasn’t completed by Opening Day, the 24-year-old said he wouldn’t resume negotiations again until after the season. He stood by that policy Friday.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over with until next offseason,” he said. “Unless they’re doing something or unless it’s changed, I’m under the impression of what I told you guys before.”
Washington acting general manager Mike Rizzo refused to comment about any negotiations involving Zimmerman. His agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, did not return messages seeking comment.
Zimmerman has been touted as the face of the franchise practically since the day he was drafted fourth overall in 2005 out of the University of Virginia. Both sides have said they would like to work out an extension that would keep him in a Nationals uniform for years.
Zimmerman agreed to a one-year contract worth $3.325 million this spring, narrowly avoiding an arbitration hearing. He’s eligible for arbitration for two more years before he would become a free agent after the 2011 season. If this deal is struck, he would be locked up through at least two of his free agent years.
Guzman going on DL
Shortstop Cristian Guzman, who hoped to return to the lineup from a strained hamstring by Saturday, didnt progress fast enough and has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Guzman, who hurt himself coming out of the box Monday on his fifth hit of the day, still experienced some stiffness while working out Friday, and the Nationals decided to disable him rather than risk further injury. The move is retroactive to Tuesday, but the team doesn’t expect him to miss much time.
“He’s making a lot of progress, but right now he’s not 100 percent,” manager Manny Acta said. “It’s too early in the year. We don’t want to take a chance on him making it worse.”
Class AAA Syracuse infielder Alex Cintron will take Guzman’s roster spot.
Extra bases
Jordan Zimmermann remains on track to make his major league debut Monday against Atlanta, though bad weather could derail those plans. The forecast states that there’s a good chance of rain, and the Nationals would be reluctant to promote the 22-year-old right-hander from Class AAA Syracuse if the game could get delayed or postponed. “We’d like to keep him on schedule,” Rizzo said. …
Dmitri Young continues to play and work out at extended spring training in Viera, Fla., but the veteran first baseman’s back has felt strong. He may soon begin a minor league rehab assignment. “We’re not quite to the rehab point yet,” Rizzo said. “But he’s getting close.”
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