Lester didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-2 extra-inning loss to the Phillies, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw had a little trouble finding the plate, throwing 58 of 97 pitches for strikes, but Lester limited the damage in his first quality start of the year and exited the game in line for his first win. He'll carry a 2.25 ERA and 10:7 K:BB through 16 innings into his next outing.

Lester (0-1) gave up three runs on four hits and two walks while fanning five across five innings Thursday against Atlanta. He was tagged with the loss.

EDGE Analysis

Lester couldn't repeat what he accomplished in his season debut when he tossed five scoreless innings, but he delivered a solid outing once again despite the fact he took the loss. The veteran lefty is doing enough to remain in the rotation as a back-end starter and is expected to take the ball next week at home against the Phillies.

Lester pitched five scoreless innings, allowing five hits with two walks and one strikeout in a no-decision versus Miami on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Lester's first start of the year went fairly well. He only threw 70 pitches (46 strikes) after reaching 90 pitches in a simulated game Sunday. The 37-year-old southpaw struggled in 2020 with a 5.16 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 42:17 K:BB across 61 innings with the Cubs. He should slot into the Nationals' rotation now, and he projects to face Atlanta next week.

Lester was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday ahead of his season debut against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Lester missed almost the entirety of the first month of the season but is finally ready to make his first appearance for his new team. He reached 90 pitches in his most recent simulated game, so he shouldn't be on a pitch count Friday. Exactly what the 37-year-old southpaw has left in the tank remains to be seen, as he stumbled to a 5.16 ERA in 12 starts for the Cubs last year.

Lester (COVID-19 injured list) is expected to be activated to start Friday against the Marlins, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 37-year-old has lined up to start Friday since completing a 90-pitch simulated game Sunday and following with a bullpen session Tuesday, and it appears the Nationals are finalizing the moves required to officially activate him from the IL. Lester has spent the first month of the season on the COVID-19 IL, but he shouldn't face significant limitations in his debut since he's been building up his arm over the past three weeks after clearing league protocols.

Lester (COVID-19 injured list) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lester threw 90 pitches in a simulated game Sunday. That leaves him on schedule to start Friday against the Marlins, though the Nationals have yet to commit to him returning on that date, as he may still pitch in another simulated game.

Lester (COVID-19 injured list) will throw a five-inning, 90-pitch simulated game Sunday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lester threw 80 pitches in a sim game Tuesday, but manager Dave Martinez revealed that the left-hander will throw at least one more simulated game prior to making his first regular-season start. Lester should be in line to handle near a full workload following Sunday's throwing session. The southpaw could line up to make his 2021 debut at home against the Marlins on April 30.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Lester (COVID-19 injured list) is scheduled to throw a five-inning, 80-pitch simulated game Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rather than inserting Lester into the rotation early during the upcoming week, the Nationals will have him get a little more stretched out before he makes his 2021 and team debut. Assuming he feels fine physically following his simulated game, Lester could make his first start for Washington as soon as April 25 against the Mets.

Lester (COVID-19 protocols) will throw a simulated game at the Nationals' alternate training site Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lester began the season on the COVID-19 injured list but has been cleared to rejoin the team. However, he's still working on building up at the alternate camp. It's not yet clear when the left-hander could make his Nationals debut, but Erick Fedde will continue to serve as a starter while Lester builds up.

Lester (COVID-19 protocols) will head to the alternate training site to build up his stamina once cleared to rejoin the team, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander is away from the team while on the COVID-19 injured list, and he'll need to build up his arm a bit following the absence and his delayed start to spring training. Erick Fedde will start Monday and could remain Washington's No. 5 starter until Lester is ready to make his season debut.