JUPITER, Fla. -- Jordan Zimmermann looks ready for the big leagues.
Washington's prized pitching prospect breezed through another dominant outing Monday, striking out six in four shutout innings of two-hit ball to help the Nationals beat the Florida Marlins 3-1.
The 22-year-old right-hander has 22 strikeouts and two walks in 12 1/3 scoreless innings this spring. He has made five appearances, including two starts.
"He's quite impressive," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "He attacks the strike zone. He had a very sharp slider today. For those guys that haven't seen him, they struggled with that slider. He locked up a couple good hitters in that lineup."
Zimmermann, who went 10-3 with a 2.89 ERA last year in a season split between Class-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg, has a good chance to crack Washington's major league rotation.
"We've got three weeks to go. If he doesn't get anybody out from here to the last day of the season, then I'm going to have to eat my words if I put him in the rotation today," Acta said. "We're going to make the decision on whether it's going to be the best for him or for us. Right now, it looks like it will be the best thing for us."
Zimmermann pitched Monday in relief of starter Shawn Hill, who fanned two in a perfect first inning. It was his first start since Feb. 27, when the right-hander tossed a scoreless inning before being shut down with elbow discomfort.
"No pain. That's basically what we've been looking for at this point. I hope it stays that way. But I have no discomfort at all today," said Hill, who threw 12 of his 16 pitches for strikes.
Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez gave up three runs -- two earned -- and seven hits in four innings but still impressed manager Fredi Gonzalez.
"He was solid," Gonzalez said. "He was able to pitch out of trouble a couple of times. He got himself into some jams and got out of it with minimum damage."
Sanchez is looking to have his first injury-free season since he was a rookie in 2006, the year he threw a no-hitter against Arizona.
"I feel great," he said. "This is my first spring training (where) I'm not having any problems, and I want to keep it that way for the season. I want to help the team."
Lastings Milledge had three hits for the Nationals, including a double.
Dallas McPherson, trying to win a corner infield spot with the Marlins, played third base and went 2-for-4. Second baseman Dan Uggla committed his fifth error of the spring.
Washington shortstop Cristian Guzman left after the first inning because of a cut on his left little toe.
Notes
The Marlins sent LHP Zack Kroenke, a Rule 5 draft pick, back to the New York Yankees. RHP Harvey Garcia was released, RHP Dallas Trahern was sent to Triple-A New Orleans, RHP Chris Leroux went to Double-A Jacksonville and LHP Aaron Thompson was reassigned to minor league camp.
