Arroyo (shoulder) is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks before being reevaluated, MASN's Dan Kolko reports.

EDGE Analysis

Friday's report that Arroyo was dealing with bursa sac inflammation in his shoulder rather than a torn rotator cuff came as a huge relief, but the veteran will still miss a significant amount of time. Kolko reports that Arroyo will rest before re-strengthening his shoulder during his rehab process, at which point he will resume throwing. As such, Tanner Roark appears to be locked into the fifth spot in the rotation for the first month of the season.

Updating on a previous report, Arroyo's MRI shows bursa sac inflammation rather than a torn rotator cuff, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports. He will be shut down for seven-to-ten days.

EDGE Analysis

It was reported Thursday that Arroyo had suffered a torn rotator cuff, which would been a potential career-ending injury for the veteran hurler. However, after getting a second opinion, it has been revealed that he is merely dealing with bursa sac inflammation in his throwing shoulder. He will be shut down for at least a week to allow the swelling to subside, but this is obviously a positive alternative to what was initially reported.

Arroyo (shoulder) said his rotator cuff is significantly torn, leaving him to decide between rehab and retirement, James Wagner of the Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The rehab process could be a lengthy one, with no assurance of a key role in the majors waiting at the end of the line. Arroyo thus seems most likely to retire, but even if he opts for rehab, he won't be available early in the season.

The Nationals said that reports of Arroyo suffering a labrum tear are premature, CSN Washington's Mark Zuckerman reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arroyo had an MRI on Wednesday, but the Nationals still need to compare it to an older one from a previous team. Though obviously not out of the woods, Arroyo can't yet be ruled out for the 2016 season. If the labrum tear is ultimately confirmed, he'll likely consider retiring.

Arroyo has been diagnosed with an 80 percent labrum tear in his pitching shoulder, ending his comeback attempt with the Nats.

EDGE Analysis

This likely ends Arroyo's career, unfortunately. It also means that Joe Ross and Tanner Roark will probably begin the season in the rotation, and might accelerate the Nats' plans to call up Lucas Giolito.

Arroyo was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday due to shoulder soreness, James Wagner of the Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Nats are likely just being cautious here, though Arroyo noted that the soreness has persisted for a few days since his last start. There has been some concern about how his arm would hold up pitching every five days, so it's possible the team may have to adjust his workload to compensate. Consider Arroyo day-to-day for now, and Blake Treinen will get the start in his place Wednesday.

Arroyo threw three perfect innings Thursday, striking out three, in a Grapefruit League start against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Facing a lineup that didn't include any of Houston's stars, Arroyo kept hitters off-balance with his usual array of junk. He's making a strong early case for a spot in the Nationals' rotation, but whether he can continue posting good numbers against bigger names than Colin Moran, Jon Kemmer and Nolan Fontana remains to be seen.

Arroyo struck out two in a scoreless inning of work during Monday's intresquad game, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports. "He was sharper than I expected," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. "He only missed a couple locations, and that's really pretty good. It's nice to see him sharp this early because he's been off for a couple years. I didn't see him labor at all. His delivery and everything looked the same."

EDGE Analysis

The 39-year-old faces an uphill battle for a rotation spot with the Nats after missing the entire 2015 season due to Tommy John surgery, but Baker is familiar with Arroyo from their time together with the Reds, which can't hurt his chances. It might take a bad spring performance from Tanner Roark or Joe Ross, though, rather than anything Arroyo does, to get him on the 25-man roster.

Arroyo (elbow) said he is on the normal throwing regimen and doesn't have any pain, the Washington Post's Chelsea Janes reports.

EDGE Analysis

Now 20 months removed from Tommy John surgery, Arroyo may have the opportunity to compete with Tanner Roark for the final spot in Washington's starting rotation. Of course, there's no guarantee Arroyo even makes the Opening Day roster, as his contract is merely a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training. He hasn't pitched in a game since June 15, 2014.

Arroyo (elbow) agreed to a contract with the Nationals on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

While it's not entirely clear if it's a major or minor league deal, the right-hander with the trademark leg kick will be reunited with manager Dusty Baker, from whom he played six seasons in Cincinnati from 2008-2013. Arroyo then jumped to Arizona, making 14 starts in 2014 before being forced to undergo Tommy John surgery. He's expected to be ready for spring training, and could bump Tanner Roark from the No. 5 starter role if truly healthy, but Arroyo's leash on a rotation spot would be very short.