"The Nationals spent nine weeks at the start of the season running out a lineup that didn't include their best player.

So when Ryan Zimmerman returned to Washington's active roster June 14, six weeks after surgery to repair a torn rectus muscle in his abdomen, it was with a somewhat sore core and during the midst of a revamping of his throwing motion. But he was back.

When he first returned, though, each day he'd spend significant time before batting practice working on fielding ground balls and making throws to first base. He did it under the watchful eye of infield coordinator Jeff Garber and with the interest of an entire fan base.

It didn't go smoothly at first. Zimmerman's throwing errors began to pile up, an uncharacteristic struggle for the former Gold Glove winner. Coming shortly after the Nationals drafted third baseman Anthony Rendon with their first pick, the issue prompted somewhat rash speculation that perhaps Zimmerman's future was across the diamond at first base."