Back at third, Zimmerman works on sidearm motion

WASHINGTON -- Ryan Zimmerman was in the Nationals' lineup at third base for a second consecutive game on Thursday after sitting out on Tuesday with right shoulder soreness.

Manager Matt Williams was pleased with how Zimmerman looked in the field in his return, and he had no qualms about putting the third baseman back out there again in the series finale against the Marlins. For the second straight day, Zimmerman completed some early work at third base, utilizing a more sidearm motion designed to alleviate any pain in his surgically repaired shoulder.

"I thought he was good. Got challenged right away," Williams said. "No ill effects. He reported today that he felt good. We went through another session today out there and he's got no issues, which is good. So hopefully that little adjustment will take some pressure off the shoulder."

In the fifth inning of Wednesday's game, Zimmerman was faced with the type of play that his given him trouble, as Casey McGehee hit a grounder that forced him to back up, field the ball backhanded and make a long throw across the diamond. It appeared that Zimmerman was caught somewhere in between an overhand and sidearm release, and the result was an awkward throw that one-hopped first baseman Adam LaRoche, but it still was in time to get the runner.

Earlier in the game, Zimmerman looked smooth in moving to his left to cut off a slow grounder from Adeiny Hechavarria, spinning and whipping a strong sidearm throw to first.

"Pace of game, runner, all of that stuff will dictate what he wants to do," Williams said. "We're working on the routine. It's a function of his work, so going out taking ground balls, doing all the things he does every day, we just don't want to inflame [the shoulder] again, so we change a little bit of an angle. It's not that big of a change, but it just takes a little pressure off, so he can go ahead and get his work done, do all the things he wants to do without having any pain. And then instinct will take over in the game anyway."