Blanton has a 7.11 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with 29 strikeouts over 31.2 innings this season.

EDGE Analysis

Blanton has little fantasy value at this point with the Nationals shoring up the back end of their bullpen at the trade deadline. The 36-year-old has been slightly better since coming off the DL in June with a 5.59 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 19.1 innings, but isn't worth consideration in most formats.

Blanton has a 7.36 ERA and 1.64 WHIP with 17 strikeouts across 22 innings this season.

EDGE Analysis

The 36-year-old has been marginally better since coming off the disabled list June 11 (4.66 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 9.2 innings) to help lower his ERA from 9.49 when he was first injured. Blanton has already given up eight home runs this season, but could still see higher-leverage situations if he can continue to improve, given the disastrous state of the Nationals' bullpen.

Blanton (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Sunday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blanton landed on the disabled list May 17 due to right shoulder inflammation but was able to recently navigate through his rehab assignment without any setbacks. He'll rejoin the Nationals' bullpen where he previously held an unsightly 9.49 ERA over his first 12.1 innings of relief this season.

Blanton (shoulder) will need to pitch in back-to-back games prior to returning to full action, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Dusty Baker commented that Blanton felt good Thursday evening in the first game of his rehab assignment, and he looked good as well. The veteran fanned two batters in a perfect inning of work for Double-A Harrisburg. If all goes as planned, it seems like Blanton could be back with the Nationals in about a week, although things should solidify as he makes more rehab appearances.

Blanton (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

While the length of his rehab assignment hasn't been specified yet, it appears Blanton is on the cusp of a return to the big-league bullpen. The 36-year-old struggled to a 9.49 ERA across 12.1 innings before landing on the DL, but the hope is that a healthy Blanton will be able to regain his form that saw him post sub-3.00 ERAs each of the previous two seasons. A more concrete timetable for his return should become available as he works through his rehab assignment.

Blanton (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

No news has emerged on how the right-hander felt following the outing, leaving him without a timetable for return for now. This is a big step for Blanton, though, as it seems like he's nearing a return. Prior to getting hurt, he struggled out of the Nationals' bullpen to the tune of a 9.49 ERA.

Blanton (shoulder) is throwing at full intensity from 120 feet without feeling any pain, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever was constantly tinkering with his arm slot to try and alleviate the pain early in the season, leading to some very disappointing numbers. If Blanton's now able to throw without issue, he should be able to find his normal arm slot again and return to the form that saw him post sub-3.00 ERAs in each of the last two seasons. Until he gets back on a mound, though, there's no timetable for his return to action.

Blanton (shoulder) was able to play catch Tuesday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blanton was moved to the disabled list last week with right shoulder inflammation, and while it doesn't sound like he's on track to be activated when first eligible Wednesday, the 36-year-old doesn't look to be in store for an extended absence. With a 9.49 ERA and 1.95 WHIP over 12.1 innings, been one of several disappointing performers out of the Nationals bullpen this season.

Blaton was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday due to right shoulder inflammation, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear when this issue cropped up, but it may be one of the reasons he's been so ineffective this season (9.49 ERA, 1.95 WHIP). No information on a timetable for Blanton's return has been revealed, either, but more details should emerge as he gets back to throwing. In the meantime, lefty Matt Grace will come up from the minors to fill his spot in the bullpen.

Blanton tossed a perfect inning and struck out one in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

His Nats spring debut went as well as the team could have hoped. Blanton will fill a key role in the bullpen that doesn't yet have an official closer, but he's more likely to be a contributor in holds than saves this season.