WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Nationals made their first round of cuts Thursday afternoon, trimming their roster by eight players before their game with the Mets.
Right-hander Austin Voth was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse while catcher Taylor Gushue, infielder Osvaldo Abreu and right-handers Jimmy Cordero, Brady Dragmire, David Goforth, Roman Mendez and Cesar Vargas were all re-assigned to Minor League camp.
Voth dropped out of MLB Pipeline's recent re-ranking of the Nats' Top 30 Prospects, but he was recently on the team's 40-man roster and on the doorstep of the Majors. He appeared in three games this spring and struck out five in three innings.
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The cuts bring Washington's roster down to 54 players in camp.
Zimmerman appears in Minor League game
Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman played in a Minor League game on the back fields in West Palm Beach on Wednesday, and he even collected three hits, manager Dave Martinez said.
"So that was pretty good," Martinez said with a laugh. "He was happy about that."
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Zimmerman has not appeared in a Grapefruit League game since last Friday, a decision made by Martinez to keep his veteran first baseman healthy. Allowing Zimmerman to play in Minor League games gives the Nats a chance to control his game action while getting him the at-bats he needs to get ready for the season.
Injury updates
Martinez did not have much of an update on either center fielder Michael A. Taylor, who has been sidelined the past few days with tightness on his right side, or left fielder Adam Eaton, who is recovering from a torn ACL.
Taylor has been out since Monday after he was scratched from that day's lineup, and he has not appeared on the field with the team during workouts since. But Martinez said he was being extra careful with Taylor, even on the verge of "babying him" to make sure he is healthy.

"He's biting at the bit," Martinez said. "But it's early, he's going to get tons of at-bats."
The Nats would still not reveal a target date for Eaton to begin appearing in Grapefruit League games, but he continues to participate in workouts and Martinez said he is continuing to go through his rehab progression well.
"My date is Opening Day, Martinez said. "Like I've said before, get him ready for Opening Day."
Suero exits game with injury
After tossing two pitches to begin the ninth inning of Thursday's 8-5 victory over the Mets, Nationals right-hander Wander Suero was removed from the game after complaining of tightness on his left side.
Washington will re-evaluate Suero during the next few days, but Martinez said he was not scheduled for an MRI.
The Nationals added Suero to their 40-man roster in the offseason and have been rewarded for their efforts so far this spring. He has appeared in five games, and in four innings he has punched out seven batters without allowing a run.
Up next
The Nationals will enjoy an off-day Friday before they return to action on Saturday afternoon against the Astros. Right-hander Erick Fedde will take the mound against Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel on Gameday Audio. Trea Turner, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon are all scheduled to be in the lineup for Washington.