Doolittle (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday for the first time since landing on the injured list April 20, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle has already missed six weeks with the left elbow sprain and won't be eligible to return until after the All-Star break after being transferred to the 60-day IL in early May. Before succumbing to the injury, the veteran southpaw had been off to a strong start to the season while filling a setup role in the Washington bullpen. Over his six appearances, he gathered two holds and struck out six while allowing just one baserunner in 5.1 innings.

Doolittle (elbow) has been throwing from 75 feet recently, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle was cleared to begin a throwing program this week and has progressed well in his rehab after receiving a PRP injection in late April. The southpaw still needs to increase his intensity, so he's likely several weeks away from returning to game action.

Doolittle (elbow) recently resumed playing catch and is throwing long toss, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander was shut down from throwing for six weeks after receiving a PRP injection in late April, but he's been cleared to resume throwing. Doolittle will need some time to build him arm strength back up before returning to mound work, so he's likely still at least a few weeks away from being ready for game action.

The Nationals transferred Doolittle (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver pickup Cory Abbott while ensuring that Doolittle is sidelined for the foreseeable future after news of his left elbow sprain first surfaced following his April 19 appearance against the Diamondbacks. According to Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post, Doolittle received a PRP injection last week and will be shut down from throwing for the next six weeks, so he'll likely be sidelined through the All-Star break.

Manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Doolittle (elbow) hasn't yet been cleared to resume throwing, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle has been on the injured list for a week and has been cleared to resume workouts, but he'll presumably require more than a minimal stay on the IL since he isn't yet throwing. A better timetable for the southpaw's return to game action is unlikely to be revealed until he begins a throwing program.

Manager Dave Martinez said that Doolittle, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left elbow sprain, will be re-evaluated in 10-to-12 days before the Nationals determine his next steps, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle was shut down one day after his velocity was down a couple of ticks during his relief appearance against the Diamondbacks, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com. Following the game, Doolittle underwent an MRI, which revealed a slight tear and inflammation in his elbow. At least for the time being, doctors don't believe that surgery is in the cards for Doolittle, though that could change if he fails to demonstrate much progress while he's shut down from throwing.

The Nationals placed Doolittle on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a sprained left elbow.

EDGE Analysis

According to Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post, Doolittle informed the Nationals of the injury following his relief appearance in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Arizona. The severity of Doolittle's elbow sprain may not be known until he's sent in for an MRI, but the fact that he's dealing with an arm-related injury likely portends an absence of more than the minimum 10 days. Doolittle had enjoyed a nice start to the 2022 campaign, striking out six over 5.1 scoreless frames while allowing just one baserunner.

Doolittle struck out two in a perfect seventh inning during Sunday's win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals were down 2-1 when the veteran southpaw entered the game in relief of Steve Cishek with runners on first and second and nobody out, but he fired eight of nine pitches for strikes to end the threat and set the stage for a Washington rally in the eighth. Doolittle topped out at 94.9 mph with his final fastball, and the 35-year-old may have returned to something close to the form that saw him rack up 75 saves for the Nats from 2017-19. For now, Doolittle will be part of the setup crew behind Tanner Rainey, but the closer situation is volatile enough that he could find himself working the ninth before long.

Doolittle agreed Monday with the Nationals on a one-year contract, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite posting a collective 4.71 ERA (4.90 FIP), 1.50 WHIP and a 12.4 K-BB% over the past two seasons across three different teams, the Nationals will bring Doolittle back on aN MLB deal for what will be his second stint in Washington. Though he served as a closer for much of his previous three-and-a-half-season tenure with the Nationals, Doolittle's poor production over the last couple of years means he's likely being viewed as a more of a middle-relief option heading into his age-35 campaign. Tanner Rainey, Kyle Finnegan and the newly signed Steve Cishek look to be better bets than Doolittle for saves out of the Washington bullpen.

Doolittle surrendered three earned runs on four hits, two walks and a wild pitch over 1.1 innings in a loss to the Astros on Monday. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle was by far the least effective of the four relievers called on to eat up innings after starter Yusei Kikuchi was chased before the end of the second frame. Doolittle has now given up a total of five earned runs over the two innings covering his last two appearances after starting his Mariners career with three consecutive scoreless one-inning outings.