Madson will serve as the Nationals' closer following the placement of Kelvin Herrera (shoulder) on the 10-day DL on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Madson is the next man up following injuries to Sean Doolittle (foot) and Herrera in recent weeks. Across 46 appearances this season, Madson has posted a 4.32 ERA and 1.39 WHIP while recording a 39:15 K:BB over 41.2 innings. He's also collected four saves in 2018. Just two year ago with the Athletics, Madson managed to pick up 30 saves as the club's ninth-inning man, so he's had a decent amount of experience in the role in previous stops.

Madson allowed one hit but no earned runs to record his fourth save of the season Thursday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Madson got the call in the ninth inning with the Nationals up one and successfully converted the opportunity to register his first save since May 12. It was presumed that Kelvin Herrera would step in to be the Nationals temporary closer so long as Sean Doolittle (toe) remained on the disabled list, but he instead pitched the eighth inning. Madson has surrendered seven earned runs across his last 6.2 innings, making the move even more surprising. The situation could be resolved quickly if Doolittle is able to return after a minimum stay on the disabled list as expected, but if he suffers any setbacks this is now a situation to monitor.

Madson coughed up four runs on four hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's loss to the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

The Nats were already down 6-2 when Madson entered the game to begin the ninth inning, but he blew up any chance the team might have had of staging another comeback. The right-hander has been extremely unreliable since the beginning of June, posting an 8.18 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB over his last 11 innings and 13 appearances, and he'll likely continue to be used in lower-leverage spots until he rights the ship.

The Nationals activated Madson (pectoral) from the disabled list Thursday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Madson hit the disabled list in mid-May with a pectoral strain and thankfully the veteran right-hander wasn't forced to miss an extended period of time. The Nationals have indicated a lighter workload is in store for the 37-year-old, but he is still likely to be a high-leverage option out of the bullpen.

Manager Davey Martinez said Madson (pectoral) will be activated from the disabled list over the weekend, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Madson hasn't pitched since May 13 due to a strained pectoral, but he's expected to rejoin the Nationals in Atlanta this weekend after throwing one more bullpen session in the coming days. The veteran right-hander, who compiled a 4.19 ERA and 20:6 K:BB across 19.1 innings prior to landing on the shelf, figures to see a slightly lighter workload upon his return.

Madson (pectoral) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Madson has played catch pain-free three times since Wednesday, but Sunday's bullpen session will be his first high-intensity throwing regimen since hitting the disabled list a week ago. It's currently unclear if the reliever will be ready to come off the DL when eligible on Thursday, but Sunday's throwing session should provide an update on where he stands in his recovery.

Madson (pectoral), who pitched in 21 of the Nationals' first 42 games this season, will have a lighter workload once he returns from the disabled list, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports. "Gotta be a little more sensitive to using him in certain situations," manager Dave Martinez said Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander has a 4.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 19.1 innings this season, and while Madson's averaged less than an inning per appearance, it's the frequency of those appearances that is of concern. The Nats' bullpen hasn't had many arms Martinez can rely on, however, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see GM Mike Rizzo pull the trigger on another trade over the summer to bolster the team's relief corps, especially if Madson can't handle consistent eighth-inning assignments.

Madson (pectoral) was able to participate in some throwing Tuesday after hitting the 10-day disabled list Sunday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Madson threw at 50 percent effort and stated that he felt good. While the exact timetable for his return is unclear, the 37-year-old reliever appears certain he won't be forced to miss an extended period of time.

Madson (pectoral) will undergo an MRI on Monday, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The MRI should help the Nationals determine the severity of the pectoral strain Madson suffered following his most recent appearance May 13 against the Diamondbacks. The Nationals waited nearly a week to move Madson to the 10-day disabled list after he didn't demonstrate much improvement, allowing Brandon Kintzler to settle in as the primary setup man for closer Sean Doolittle for the time being.

Madson will be placed on the 10-day disabled list with a sore pectoral muscle, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Janes speculates that it will be Tim Collins who gets the call to replace Madson on the active roster. Meanwhile, Brandon Kintzler will inherit primary setup duties in front of closer Sean Doolittle. Madson hasn't been as effective this season as his strikeouts are down and his walks are up, but this is the first word of an injury. There is no known timetable for his return.