Doolittle has no timetable for his Grapefruit League debut as the Nationals carefully monitor his spring workload, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander's knee is the biggest concern -- it was a sore knee that produced the mechanical bad habits that led to his IL stint due to arm trouble last season -- and while Doolittle is fully healthy to begin the spring, the Nats want to keep it that way. The 60 innings he threw in 2019 was his largest total since 2014, but the 33-year-old will have Daniel Hudson and Will Harris around to take some late-inning work off his shoulders this year, even if Doolittle keeps his spot as the team's primary closer.

The Nationals will pick up Doolittle's $6.5 million club option for 2020, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Washington featured the worst bullpen in the majors during 2019, but Doolittle was called upon early and often throughout the season. The 33-year-old had a 4.05 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 66:15 K:BB over 60 innings while converting 29 of 35 save opportunities, while the heavy usage early in the season likely contributed to a decline in his numbers in the second half. Daniel Hudson finished the season as the Nationals' top option at closer, but Doolittle should be the favorite for the role entering 2020 with Hudson heading for free agency.

Doolittle allowed one hit and struck out the side during the ninth in a save against the Phillies on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

He already has a career high in saves, and he's one away from reaching the 30-save plateau for the first time in his career. However, Doolittle's other numbers aren't up to his normal standards. He is 6-5 with 29 saves, 3.97 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 59 innings this season.

Doolittle pitched a perfect inning in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Phillies in the first game of a doubleheader, retiring all three batters without a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw entered the game in the top of the eighth inning with the Nationals up 3-1, and he induced a foulout, a groundout and a flyout in 15 pitches to retire the side. Doolittle has now made seven appearances -- all in non-save situations -- in September, allowing just one run and one hit in six innings. Daniel Hudson has three saves this month, though manager Dave Martinez just said earlier Tuesday that he still views Doolittle as his closer.

Manager Dave Martinez confirmed Tuesday that Doolittle remains his closer, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle has no saves in the month of September, while Daniel Hudson has recorded a pair. Doolittle is still working his way back from a knee injury but hasn't been bad over the course of the month, allowing just one run and one hit in five innings while posting a 4:2 K:BB. Martinez did add that he's not afraid to use Doolittle in the eighth inning, however, so there's no guarantee that the next save opportunity will be his.

Doolittle (6-5) took the loss Monday as the Nationals dropped a 4-2 decision to the Cardinals, getting charged with one run after walking one batter and striking out two in two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw entered the game in the top of the seventh inning with the score tied 2-2, and Doolittle's free pass came around to score after his replacement, Hunter Strickland, served up a double to Marcell Ozuna. Doolittle has yet to record a save in September, but neither has any other Nats reliever, so it's not yet clear if he would once again be the preferred option at closer over Daniel Hudson should a save situation arise.

Doolittle (knee) was activated off the 10-day injured list Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle made one rehab appearance with High-A Potomac on Friday to clear the way for his return to the Nationals. The southpaw has converted 28 of 34 save chances with a 4.33 ERA and 1.40 WHIP this season and should return to the closer's role eventually, but according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, Doolittle will first be eased back into things in some lower-leverage spots.

Doolittle (knee) is expected to come off the injured list Sunday, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty breezed through a rehab appearance with High-A Potomac on Friday, retiring the side on three pitches (flyout, groundout, flyout), and it sounds like he will be activated right away when rosters expand. Doolittle had struggled before landing on the IL, allowing five homers and blowing two saves over his last five appearances, but he will almost certainly return to the closer role for the stretch run. Perhaps the Nats will ease him back in with one or two lower-leverage appearances before reinstalling Doolittle in the ninth.

Doolittle (knee) said he expects to join High-A Potomac for a rehab appearance Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle completed a 16-pitch, one-inning simulated game Wednesday and feels good physically, but he wants to improve his sharpness before rejoining the Nationals. The veteran left-hander may only require a game or two in the minors, so it shouldn't delay his return to the majors for long.

Doolittle (knee) completed a successful simulated game Wednesday, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle threw 16 pitches and said he felt good afterward. If the right-hander checks out OK on Thursday, it sounds like he could be cleared to rejoin the Nationals during their upcoming series against Miami, which begins Friday.