Lester (neck) is feeling well and could return to the Nationals as early as Monday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lester recently underwent surgery to have a thyroid gland removed, but he isn't expected to have a lengthy recovery timeline. The southpaw will visit a doctor Saturday to determine a better timetable for his return, but manager Dave Martinez was optimistic that he could be back Monday. If he returns early next week, he'd have approximately three weeks to build up ahead of Opening Day.

Lester will have a thyroid gland removed and the team hopes he will be back pitching in a week, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals have known this was an issue but Lester was awaiting further medical opinion before making the decision for surgery. It sounds like he could still have time to get ready for his first turn in the rotation, but Austin Voth and Erick Fedde would be options if Lester can't get up to speed in time for his first start.

Lester signed a one-year contract with Washington on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lester became a free agent following the conclusion of the 2020 campaign after spending the last six seasons with Chicago. It's unclear as to how many seasons the 37-year-old southpaw has left in the tank, but he figures to slot in near the back end of Washington's starting rotation behind Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin.

Lester's $25 million team option was declined by the Cubs on Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lester spent the last six seasons with the Cubs, but he'll unsurprisingly hit free agency as his results have declined over the past two seasons. The 36-year-old will be paid a $10 million buyout by Chicago. Lester will search for a new deal after posting a 5.16 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 61 innings in 2020.

Lester (3-3) allowed seven runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings in a loss to the White Sox on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs got out to a 5-2 lead after three innings, but Lester gave all of that back and then some in the fourth. Lester's ERA jumped from 4.40 to 5.16 as a result of this blowup, and it's possible manager David Ross will reconsider his rotation plans for the postseason. Ross had previously indicated Lester was the likely choice for Game 3 of the first round (if necessary).

Lester seems likely to pitch in Game 3 if one is necessary in the Cubs' upcoming first round playoff series, though manager David Ross hasn't confirmed his rotation plans, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lester is scheduled to make his final regular season start Saturday, which would put him on six days rest by the time a Game 3 would be held on Oct. 2. The veteran has had an up and down year, though he's pitched better lately, and he certainly has proven his worth in big games before. "Definitely Jon's experience goes a long way for me, and putting somebody out there that can handle the moment is very powerful," Ross said. Chicago will likely roll with Kyle Hendricks and Yu Darvish in the first two games of the best-of-three series, which is set to begin Wednesday.

Lester (3-2) tossed six scoreless innings to pick up the win Monday against the Pirates. He allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out one.

EDGE Analysis

After a rough patch of outings between mid-August and early September, Lester has turned things around in his last three starts. The veteran has logged 17 innings in those games and has allowed just two earned runs, lowering his ERA from 5.80 to 4.40 in the process. He's not missing a ton of bats, with just 10 strikeouts in those 17 innings, and Pittsburgh is certainly a soft matchup, but this is still encouraging for Lester and the Cubs as they move toward the playoffs. The lefty lines up for one more regular season start Saturday against the White Sox.

Lester did not factor into the decision during Wednesday's win over the Indians, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out one batter across five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Lester got off to a messy first inning, during which he allowed a baserunner to score on a wild pitch. The 36-year-old settled down from there, quieting Cleveland's bats until a solo blast off the bat of Oscar Mercado in the fifth frame. Lester then left the game with the score knotted, 2-2. The right-hander, coming off a season-high eight strikeouts, has done well over his last two starts but has seen an inconsistent season to the tune of a 4.91 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. Lester is slated to take the mound for a favorable matchup Monday at Pittsburgh.

Lester threw six innings of three-hit shutout baseball during the Cubs 1-0 loss to the Brewers, while walking two and striking out eight in the performance.

EDGE Analysis

Lester (2-2) rebounded after allowing five runs through 3.1 innings in his last start. That being said, his expected ERA still ranks in the bottom fifth of the league. The Cubs elite offense buoys his value, and he draws the Indians' bottom-ten offense in his next start.

Lester pitched six scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision in Friday's 1-0 loss to the Brewers. He allowed three hits and two walks, while striking out eight.

EDGE Analysis

Lester didn't get the win but he had his best outing of the season, and it was just the second time in his last six starts that he allowed fewer than five earned runs. The eight strikeouts also marked a season high. The veteran lefty still has a 5.05 ERA even after this excellent performance, which underscores how poorly he's pitched for most of the year. Lester will hope to build some momentum from this outing and carry it over into his next trip to the hill, which is currently scheduled for Wednesday against Cleveland.