I think it was important to remember that back when Zimmerman injured his hamate and took a long time to get his power stroke back: a. he was still a fairly inconsistent hitter at that point, prone to half-seasons of mediocre production (it wasn't 'til '09 that he fully matured as a major league hitter), and b. the Nats' Dr. Nick-like medical staff left a lot to be desired around that time.
