Kuzul

Washington Nationals star Ryan Zimmerman has reportedly been placed on the disabled list following a hamstring injury he sustained last weekend.

The Washington Times’ Amanda Comak reports:

The third baseman reportedly sustained the injury against the Atlanta Braves last weekend, then aggravated it even further when playing against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday—despite playing with a heating pad affixed to his leg.

After some pregame running and throwing under the watch of a trainer on Friday, Zimmerman was again rested by the Nationals, who scheduled him to play this weekend against the New York Mets.

However, instead of playing, the All-Star was again left out of the lineup by Nationals management and then sent to have an MRI scan on his hamstring.

The Nationals have already recalled Anthony Rendon from the Harrisburg Senators—AA Eastern League Affiliates of the Washington Nationals—as a replacement for Zimmerman, according to the Nationals’ official Twitter account. For a player who has landed on the disabled list four times in the past five years due to various injuries, this can’t be a good sign.

And whilst no information is yet known as to the severity of the injury or how long he will be on the disabled list for, the news doesn’t appear to be promising for Zimmerman.

Manager Davey Johnson commented earlier in the week regarding the injury.

“It’s something I don’t want to take a chance on getting worse. All games are important, but to take the chance of setting him back and missing double the time? I’m not willing to take that gamble…”

Zimmerman is currently averaging .226 with one home run and 11 RBI in his 15 games this season for Washington. The Nationals are currently second (10-7) in the NL East behind the Atlanta Braves (13-3) and hope that their star can return as soon as possible.

Hit me up on Twitter for more sports goodness.

Follow @dantalintyre

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes will reportedly miss three months of action with the sprained ankle that he sustained against the Kansas City Royals on Friday.

Original reports had listed Reyes as out for between one and three months, but according to TSN’s Scott MacArthur, the shortstop will miss the full three months.

Reyes was just 10 games into his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, having spent the majority of his career with the New York Mets and last year with the Marlins.

What’s worse for the Jays was the hot start that Reyes was off to—hitting .395 with an on-base percentage of .465 and a major league-leading five stolen bases.

Now he’ll miss three months of action and won’t be available until the All-Star break, which comes as a bitter blow for Toronto’s chances of success in 2013.

The star shortstop was clearly devastated after the injury on Friday night, and he aired his frustration to reporters (per USA Today).

It is frustrating. I love baseball so much. I love to be with my teammates on the field and helping my ballclub. Now I know I’m not going to be there for a little while. It’s kind of disappointing for me. I’ve been through some injuries in my career. I don’t like that. Injuries are part of the game and I have to deal with it.

CBS Sports reports that general manager Alex Anthopoulos will likely look to the trade market for help at shortstop given Reyes’ injury. For now, the Blue Jays called up Munenori Kawasaki for infield help up the middle, but Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports notes that Maicer Izturis will be the primary fill-in for the next three months.

Either way, the injury is a bitter blow for the Blue Jays, who must now cope without the skills, leadership and experience of their four-time All-Star.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

This was the photo that every New York Yankees fan had been dreaming of for some time now—Derek Jeter back and in business as the designated hitter.

Per Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News:

And the reality is that the return of the team captain and inspirational leader could not come a moment too soon for the Yankees.

His return was highly anticipated and expected to produce great things. Whilst he didn’t churn out three home runs and set the world on fire, his appearance back in the starting lineup showed that the Yankees will once again be tough to beat in 2013.

Jeter’s return was simply perfect timing for the baseball powerhouse.

The 38-year-old hadn’t played before Saturday since October 13, 2012, when he suffered an ankle injury against the Detroit Tigers. The fact it came in the American League Championships Series just made it worse and more heartbreaking for all involved in the injury.

But watching him smack the very first pitch he saw against the Atlanta Braves to left field for a single, it seemed that the Yankees would be all right again. Not that they weren’t strong or disciplined without him, just that his presence made it feel like a “normal” Yankees team once more. 

It was like a big collective, sigh of relief.

Yankees fans must be quick to realize that his return here doesn’t signal a complete reemergence of the star shortstop who has etched his name amongst baseball’s greatest ever. The 38-year-old will likely be rested Sunday, then remain as the designated hitter for another game against the St. Louis Cardinals before picking up with the shortstop duties once more (per ESPN).

But after the five-month layoff, simply having him back is the best news possible, regardless of whether he is completely ready right now.

After all, it is just spring training. 

In a day where Mariano Rivera’s retirement announcement dominated the headlines and brought a sense of sadness over the franchise, the return of Jeter was perfect timing. And in light of a season that will no doubt be incredibly grueling as the Yankees look to establish their dominance in the league once more, Jeter’s return makes for a compelling year ahead.

“It’s my job to be ready April 1,” Jeter said during the week.

You can guarantee that New York Yankees fans certainly hope so. After all, it is a long season ahead, and having Jeter back would make a huge difference.

Both on and off the field.

Will Derek Jeter start for the Yankees’ on opening day?

Comment below or hit me up on Twitter:  Follow @dantalintyre

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com