Zimmermann likely to avoid DL stint

Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will not go on the disabled list after suffering a right biceps strain last Friday against the Phillies, according to a baseball source. The All-Star break allowed Zimmermann to rest his arm, and he was able to work out with the Nats on Thursday.

Testing the waters to improve pace of games

These days, in addition to being a senior advisor for the Phillies, Pat Gillick is working on his latest passion. He is a member of a committee that this week made recommendations to the independent Atlantic League designed to improve the pace of games. The league will begin implementing those ideas next week.

Pipeline preview: Big Apple prospects to square off

A few years from now, Yankees’ No. 1 prospect Gary Sanchez and Mets’ No. 4 prospect Brandon Nimmo could be playing leading roles in New York. For now, however, both are in the Eastern League, Sanchez catching for Double-A Trenton and Nimmo patrolling the outfield for Binghamton. The pair will meet on Friday on the second game of a four-game set.