Photos by Josh Meltzer | The Roanoke Times

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had one hit and struck out once while playing for Potomac on Tuesday night against Salem.

Photos by Josh Meltzer | The Roanoke Times

Ryan Zimmerman singles during Tuesday's game between the Salem Avalanche and Potomac Nationals.

Managers and coaches in the Carolina League are charged with teaching their players how to play baseball.

On Monday and Tuesday night, members of the Salem Avalanche and Potomac Nationals got a little "show" to go along with the tell.

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was on hand at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium, technically on rehab assignment to get back in game shape after injuring his shoulder.

But it didn't hurt a bit for the denizens of both dugouts to see that this guy with the big-league talent and the big-league contract to go with it scramble up the line on every ground ball as if his next meal depended on it.

"It's the way the game's supposed to be played," Zimmerman said simply. "There's a group of guys [in the Nationals organization] who are kind of looked at to teach the rest how the game is played. ...

"There's no room for not running out a ground ball."

Zimmerman once played for Potomac Nationals skipper Randy Knorr, and he doesn't doubt that the players have heard these lessons before.

" ... I think these guys kind of know," he said. "But it's a long season and they're young."

Zimmerman grew up in Virginia Beach and was a star at the University of Virginia before being picked in the first round by the Nationals in 2005.

He considers himself lucky that he's played near his hometown for most of his life, but "it's good wherever you get a chance to play."

Zimmerman's own run through the minor leagues was a quick one. After being drafted, he spent just four games at low-A Savannah -- when he played for Knorr -- before being promoted to Double-A Harrisburg.

Keith Bodie, now Salem's hitting coach, was the Harrisburg manager at the time.

"He was one of those players, that after about 10 minutes you knew was pretty special," Bodie said.

Zimmerman hit .326 in Harrisburg and joined the Nationals in September.

In 2006, Zimmerman anchored himself in the middle of the Nationals' order, hitting .287 with 47 doubles, 20 home runs and 110 RBIs. He finished second to Florida's Hanley Ramirez in the National League in rookie of the year voting.

It could not have come at a better time for the Nationals, a franchise just a year removed from its move to D.C. from Montreal trying to win over fans and support for a new ballpark. Zimmerman and Alfonso Soriano were just about the only highlights in a 71-91 season.

Zimmerman, always prized for his defense, hit .266 with 43 doubles, 23 homers and 91 RBIs in 2007. The new ballpark opened this season, and through the first 50 games, Zimmerman was hitting .257 with 11 doubles, eight homers and 27 RBIs.

But on May 18, Zimmerman tore the labrum in his left shoulder. He played hurt and was on a nine-game hitting streak when finally he decided he wasn't able to perform up to his standards.

"I've never been hurt before in my life," Zimmerman said. "I was really glad we were able to avoid surgery."

Also fortunate was that the injury was to his left shoulder, not the one he uses to throw.

Sitting out of games for six weeks wasn't fun, but Zimmerman said he was able to run, throw and lift weights while getting treatment for his shoulder. In recent weeks he has started fielding ground balls and started taking batting practice last week.

Monday was his first game action, and after two games in Salem as designated hitter, he will take today off before heading to the Nationals' Triple-A team in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday. He said he will start playing third base then.

As soon as he's deemed healthy enough, he'll be back in Washington, where he recognizes that he has become a local favorite but chooses to leave that up to the fans.

"I just come out and play," Zimmerman said. "I just enjoy playing baseball, have fun and play hard."