MLB Rumors: Washington Nationals to play Ryan Zimmerman at three positions

We recently heard that the Washington Nationals were exploring the idea of playing Gold Glove third baseman Ryan Zimmerman in left field, a sentiment which he and the team eventually stated wasn’t true.

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But according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, not only was it true but Zimmerman will be playing first base in addition to third base and the outfield when he returns from his thumb injury.

“The Nationals are working on a plan for Ryan Zimmerman to rotate among third base, first base and left field once he returns from the disabled list, perhaps lining him to be that rare multi-positional star, league sources said.”

So what does Zimmerman think about the changes? He’s apparently all for them as Heyman suggests that Zimmerman has already signed off on the move, despite the Nationals not publicly announcing anything at this point.

Oft-injured, the Nationals appear to believe that by putting Zimmerman at first base along with left field, he won’t continually find himself on the disabled list and being aliviated of the daily grinds of playing third base defensively will improve his offensive numbers.

Solid with the glove, Zimmerman, who has missed 40-some games due to the thumb injury has struggled with his throws to first base in recent years and it appears the Nationals are simply doing what they can to remove him from the hot corner.

The veteran says he’s all about the team and will do whatever they want/need, so it appears Zimmerman will need to start prepping some new gloves as an All-Star utility player.