--3B Ryan Zimmerman is close to signing a long-term extension with the Nationals, according to multiple published reports. The 24-year-old third baseman had previously said he didn't want to negotiate once the season began, but his agent and the Washington front office have been talking themselves for the last week on a deal that would likely lock up Zimmerman through at least 2013. Zimmerman, making $3.325 million in his first year of arbitration, is currently eligible to become a free agent after the 2011 season. "I haven't heard anything," he told reporters Friday when asked about negotiations. "Unless they're talking or doing something, I don't know. I'm just worried about playing." Nationals acting GM Mike Rizzo declined to comment.

--SS Cristian Guzman was hoping to return from a strained hamstring on Saturday, but the shortstop still felt some stiffness when working out Friday and wound up getting placed on the 15-day DL. The move is retroactive to April 14, and the Nationals don't expect their shortstop to miss much time. "He's making a lot of progress, but right now he's not 100 percent," manager Manny Acta said. "It's too early in the year. We don't want to take a chance on him making it worse." INF Alex Cintron will have his contract purchased from Class AAA Syracuse and will take Guzman's roster spot.

--RHP Jordan Zimmermann is scheduled to make his big-league debut Monday against the Braves, but the Nationals may have to tweak their plans if the weather doesn't cooperate. The forecast in Washington is for rain on Monday, and acting GM Mike Rizzo said the team doesn't want to have its top prospect sit through a long rain delay in his first major-league start. "We'd like to keep him on schedule," Rizzo said. "So the weather would be an issue."

MEDICAL WATCH:

SS Cristian Guzman (strained left hamstring) left the April 13 game. He said he hoped to return within a few days, and he was available to pinch-hit April 16. He suffered a setback, however, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 17, retroactive to April 14.

2B Ronnie Belliard (sore back) left the April 8 game and did not play April 10-15. He returned to action April 16.

2B/OF Willie Harris (strained left oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 13. There was no timetable for his return.

1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. Young, who has been working himself back into shape while trying to manage diabetes, will remain at extended spring training in Viera, Fla. The Nationals hope he'll be ready to go on a rehab assignment at some point in late April and perhaps return to the big-league roster soon after that.

RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He started a throwing program at extended spring training in early April.

LHP Matt Chico (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 28. He will miss at least the first half of the season.

ROTATION:

LHP John Lannan

LHP Scott Olsen

RHP Daniel Cabrera

RHP Shairon Martis

BULLPEN:

RHP Joel Hanrahan (closer)

LHP Joe Beimel

RHP Saul Rivera

RHP Steven Shell

RHP Julian Tavarez

RHP Mike Hinckley

LHP Wil Ledezma

CATCHERS:

Jesus Flores

Josh Bard

Wil Nieves

INFIELDERS:

1B Nick Johnson

2B Anderson Hernandez

3B Ryan Zimmerman

INF Ronnie Belliard

INF Alberto Gonzalez

INF Alex Cintron

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Adam Dunn

CF Elijah Dukes

RF Austin Kearns

OF Josh Willingham

OF Roger Bernadina