Papelbon has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 13, due to a right intercostal strain.

EDGE Analysis

With Papelbon unavailable due to undisclosed soreness, Shawn Kelley picked up his first save of the season in Monday's 4-1 win over the Cubs. Kelley is seemingly the favorite to get most of the ninth-inning work, but lefty Felipe Rivero could also be in the mix. The Nationals might decide to play matchups, deploying Rivero and the right-handed Kelley in whatever order makes sense within a given game. Papelbon won't be eligible to return until June 28, and he could miss quite a bit more time, as intercostal strains typically sideline pitchers beyond the minimum 15 days.

Papelbon is dealing with some soreness in an undisclosed location, Dan Kolko of MASN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Papelbon said the soreness is not in his arm, and that he will be evaluated Tuesday. It's likely there will be more updates on his status after the evaluation occurs.

Papelbon (1-2) allowed one run on one hit over one inning to earn the win Sunday against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Papelbon came into a tie game in the ninth inning and surrendered a home run to Maikel Franco before the offense came up with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to earn him the victory. He's now allowed one run in three of his last five outings to raise his ERA to 3.28. On a positive note, he's earned saves in 16 of his 18 chances this season.

Papelbon gave up one run on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning Sunday, striking out one, to pick up his 15th save of the season in a 10-9 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

He entered the game with a two-run cushion, but after quickly surrendering one run he Houdini'ed his way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam to somehow preserve the win. Papelbon now has a reasonable 3.18 ERA on the season, but his 1.38 WHIP and mediocre 18:7 K:BB in 22.2 innings offers a better reflection of the tightrope he's been walking far too often. Don't be surprised if the Nats look for bullpen help, possibly bumping Papelbon from the closer role, before the trade deadline.

Papelbon picked up his 14th save in Monday's win over the Phillies despite allowing a run on two hits.

EDGE Analysis

Papelbon has blown just two saves this season but has been otherwise underwhelming. His ERA is now up to 3.05, his K/9 is a meager (for a closer) 7.0, and he owns a mediocre 1.258 WHIP. He's managed to make it work thus far, but he's playing with fire as long as he keeps allowing this much contact and so many baserunners.

Papelbon gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to protect a 4-1 lead against the Marlins and notch his 12th save of the season.

EDGE Analysis

His ratios on the year aren't great (3.06 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 13:5 K:BB in 17.2 innings) but Papelbon has only been scored upon in three of his 18 appearances in 2016, making him a fairly steady hand at the back of the Nationals' bullpen. With the team on pace for 100 wins and holding the second-best record in the National League, there should be plenty more save chances ahead for Papelbon.

Papelbon retired the only two batters he faced Friday night, one via strikeout, and logged his 10th save of the season as the Nationals topped Miami by a 5-3 score.

EDGE Analysis

He is 10-for-12 in save chances with a lackluster 3.68 ERA, and an even less attractive 1.36 WHIP, but he is likely solidly entrenched in the closer's role as long as he stays healthy, and in a Washington uniform so he remains a fantasy asset.

Papelbon covered two scoreless innings in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Cubs in 13 innings, conceding two hits and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

After going unused in the Nats' previous four games following his three-run implosion Tuesday against the Royals, Papelbon recovered well Sunday, keeping the Cubs off the board while covering the 11th and 12th innings. The 35-year-old is still sitting on a lackluster 3.86 ERA and 1.42 WHIP for the season, but both figures should improve as the 35-year-old logs more appearances.

Papelbon allowed three runs on five hits and only managed to record two outs before taking the loss Tuesday against the Royals in his second blown save of the season.

EDGE Analysis

Papelbon was singled to death, as he didn't allow an extra-base hit in the whole rally. Even though he got four swinging strikes out of his 26 pitches, only one came at the critical moment for a strikeout. The Royals have been lauded for their ability to put the ball in play throughout their run atop the American League, and this ninth inning against Papelbon was a master class in the art. Papelbon had streaks of four consecutive saves and six consecutive scoreless appearances snapped as his ERA rose from 2.38 to 4.50.

Papelbon threw a clean inning with a strikeout to record the save Monday against Kansas City, his ninth.

EDGE Analysis

Since blowing his first and only save of the season back on April 17, Papelbon hasn't allowed a run, with three strikeouts, three saves, and just four baserunners allowed over five appearances covering 4.2 innings. His ERA has dropped from 4.76 to 2.38 over that span.