Wang, Zimmermann have bullpen sessions

Nationals right-handers Chien-Ming Wang and Jordan Zimmermann had bullpen sessions Friday without any problems, according to pitching coach pitching Steve McCatty.   

Wang threw 30 pitches — all fastballs. It was his first session since Monday, when he threw 45 pitches. Wang was expected to throw Wednesday, but the session was postponed because of a sore right shoulder. Wang will have his next session Sunday at Space Coast Stadium.

After throwing 15 pitches Monday, Zimmermann threw 45 pitches Friday. It’s not known when Zimmermann will have another session in the bullpen.

“He looks great. He has to take it nice and slow and stay with the program. He is doing that,” McCatty said.      

Zimmermann is ahead of schedule in terms of making a comeback, but general manager Mike Rizzo told  Zimmermann that he would not pitch in a game until August.

Once Zimmermann returns, the Nationals are hoping that he and Stephen Strasburg become a one-two combination on the pitching staff by 2011.