Washington Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, who’s emerged in 2013 as a top-flight starter and earned his first All-Star berth, might have to skip the game due to persistent neck problems, it was announced on Thursday.
That news came out after he pitched well again Thursday, but didn’t get much offensive help as the Philadelphia Phillies edged the Nationals, 3-1.
The neck has been bothering Zimmermann for a while in various ways. Washington’s medical staff and the pitcher can’t seem to get the pain under control, and Zimmermann told the media after Thursday’s game that he’d consider skipping the All-Star Game.
“I’d rather be healthy for the second half than pitch in that,” Zimmermann said in The Washington Post. “I’d like to pitch in it, but I’m not going to go up there and pitch an inning and have to battle in the second half.”
The team and pitcher will make a decision in the next few days.