Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Friday that Doolittle (elbow) has begun throwing bullpen sessions, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The hope is that Doolittle can advance to live batting practice sessions sometime next week and begin a minor-league rehab assignment soon after. He's on track to join the Nationals' bullpen around late April or early May coming off surgery last July to repair a partial tear of the UCL in his left elbow.

Doolittle (elbow) had yet to be cleared for mound work as of Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle has been throwing on flat ground, but it will remain difficult to map out a timetable for his 2023 debut until he begins throwing bullpen sessions. The veteran reliever now seems likely to miss all of April as he recovers from surgery last July to repair a partially torn UCL in his left elbow.

Doolittle (elbow) is remaining at the Nationals' spring training complex in Florida to continue his rehab, per MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle is nearing the end of his recovery from surgery last July to repair a partially torn UCL in his left elbow, but he still has some hurdles to clear. The hope is that the veteran reliever can join the Nats as a high-leverage option sometime before the end of April. He might be in line for save opportunities if his health cooperates, though Kyle Finnegan projects to handle the bulk of ninth-inning duties.

Doolittle (elbow) still hasn't seen Grapefruit League action this spring and won't be ready for Opening Day, but he could be the Nationals' top left-handed option in the bullpen when healthy, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw doesn't have a lot of competition for that role left in camp, with journeyman Anthony Banda and minor-leaguers Jose Ferrer and Matt Cronin the only left-handed relievers remaining. Ferrer in particular has been seeing work against big-league hitters early in spring games and could open the season on the 26-man roster, but he has yet to pitch above Double-A in his career. Doolittle is in the final stages of his recovery from UCL surgery performed last July, and while the 36-year-old is no longer the pitcher who racked up 78 saves in 2017-19, if he finds himself as the only lefty in the Nationals' bullpen he would be in line for high-leverage work and potentially even some matchup-dependent save chances.

Doolittle (elbow) is no longer expected to be ready for Opening Day, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle hasn't experienced a physical setback in his recovery from July 2022 surgery to address a partially torn UCL in his left elbow, but the Nationals recently decided to slow down his rehab program in an effort to avoid any such hiccups. "Obviously making the Opening Day roster was a goal. But the biggest goal is getting back healthy, and you can't put a timeline on that at this point," the veteran reliever said Tuesday. "Let's be smart about it."

Doolittle (elbow) said Friday that he'll be a full participant when pitchers and catchers report to spring training in two weeks, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. "I'm not limited in any way right now," said Doolittle, who underwent an internal brace procedure in July to address a partially torn UCL in his left elbow.

EDGE Analysis

Though Doolittle turned 36 years old in September and is returning from a relatively unproven arm procedure, he's apparently responded well to his five-month rehab program and has since completed 11 bullpen sessions while gradually increasing the intensity of his throwing. The Nationals opted to bring back Doolittle on a minor-league deal in November, and the veteran lefty should have a good chance at breaking camp with a spot on the 40-man roster and 28-man active roster if he avoids any setbacks during the Grapefruit League slate. Before injuring his elbow, Doolittle was in the midst of a strong start to the 2022 campaign, as he had yet to allow a run and put just one runner on base while striking out six over 5.1 frames.

Doolittle (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Sunday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

As Kolko notes, this contract will allow Doolittle to remain with the organization while rehabbing from UCL surgery, a procedure he underwent in July. The surgery carries a 5-to-6-month timetable for recovery, so if all goes well, he could be back on the bump in time for spring training.

Doolittle (elbow) will have an internal brace procedure to repair his UCL tear, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle began a throwing program in early June but suffered a setback in his rehab recently. The southpaw will be shut down for the remainder of the season due to the surgery, but the procedure carries a recovery timetable of 5-6 months, so he's expected to be ready to return in time for spring training in 2023. The southpaw made six relief appearances for the Nationals this year and picked up two holds while tossing 5.1 scoreless innings.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Thursday that Doolittle will visit a doctor after experiencing soreness in his left elbow during a recent bullpen session, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle initiated his throwing program about five weeks ago after initially landing on the injured list April 20 with a left elbow sprain, so it's somewhat troubling that he's experienced a setback without having even resumed facing hitters at this point in his rehab. The upcoming checkup with the doctor should provide more clarity on Doolittle's next steps, but even if he isn't shut down from throwing, he's unlikely to make it back from the IL until August.

Doolittle (elbow) threw 15 pitches during a bullpen session Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thursday's throwing session marked the first time that Doolittle had thrown a bullpen since landing on the injured list April 20. Although he exclusively threw fastballs, it was an encouraging step for the southpaw, who plans to throw another bullpen Sunday or Monday.