Hudson (elbow) was spotted playing catch from a short distance Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson remains in the early stages of his throwing program after he was placed on the injured list June 12 with right elbow inflammation. He'll likely need to complete multiple bullpen sessions and face live hitters in batting practice before the Nationals clear him to begin a rehab assignment. Hudson may have difficulty gaining clearance to rejoin the Nationals before the end of June, but a pre-All-Star break return is still realistic.

The Nationals plan to have Hudson (elbow) resume a throwing program during their road trip this week, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals don't view Hudson's inflamed right elbow as a long-term concern, so he'll travel with the team and conduct his rehab away from Washington with the hope of speeding up his return to the active roster. He could require a brief minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list.

Hudson is not concerned about any long-term issues with his elbow, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson woke up Thursday morning with some swelling in his right elbow, but he's had two Tommy John surgeries in his past and said this issue didn't feel at all similar. An MRI confirmed Friday that he wasn't dealing with anything worse than inflammation. Whether or not he's able to return after the minimum 10 days remains to be seen, but it doesn't sounds as though he's in line for a long absence.

Hudson was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation.

EDGE Analysis

The move is retroactive to June 10. Hudson has a 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 10 strikeouts in five innings over four appearances this month. He has a long history of elbow injuries, including two Tommy John surgeries. Tanner Rainey will step into a setup role in front of closer Brad Hand.

Hudson (4-1) picked up the win after blowing the save Wednesday, giving up one hit and striking out three over 1.1 scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

While the right-hander didn't get charged with any runs himself, Hudson allowed two runners inherited from Tanner Rainey to score in the seventh inning, tying the game at 3-3. Hudson's window to get a shot at closing duties may have slammed shut with Brad Hand having converted six straight saves, but the right-hander has still been the most reliable arm in the Nats' bullpen this season, posting a 2.49 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB over 21.2 innings with 11 holds in 21 appearances.

Hudson recorded one strikeout in a perfect eighth inning Friday against the Orioles en route to his eighth hold of the season.

EDGE Analysis

Brad Hand, who came in with a 4-0 lead in the ninth inning, gave up a two-run home run and has now given up at least one run in five of his last six appearances. If Hand were to lose the closer's job, Hudson appears to be the top candidate to step in.

Hudson (2-0) pitched a clean eighth inning while striking out a batter in a 3-2 win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson pitched an easy 1-2-3 eighth inning after getting the first two hitters out on contact before striking out Paul Goldschmidt to end the frame. The Nationals were able to mount a comeback in the bottom half of the inning which earned him his second win of the year. Hudson has allowed one run through five innings pitched and sports a respectable 7:2 K:BB as the team's main setup man.

Hudson (1-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Braves after allowing zero runs on zero hits with two strikeouts and one walk during the ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

The 33-year-old was expected to begin the season in a setup role, but he'll now be in the mix for saves with Brad Hand on the COVID-19 injured list. Hudson entered in a 5-5 tie and delivered a scoreless top of the ninth inning, and the offense provided the walk off in the bottom half of the frame to provide the victory. The right-hander could split ninth-inning chances with Tanner Rainey until Hand is cleared to rejoin the team.

Hudson has made two Grapefruit League appearances so far this spring, giving up a home run in two innings without a walk or a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The long ball remains a potential source of concern for Hudson after he served up six homers in 20.2 innings last year, but the veteran right-hander is healthy and on track to be ready for a high-leverage role Opening Day. He's picked up 16 saves for the Nats since they acquired him at the 2019 trade deadline, but the offseason addition of Brad Hand pushes Hudson back into a setup role, a job he's indicated in the past he's more comfortable with anyway. The 34-year-old has two 20-hold campaigns on his resume and could be poised to add a third in 2021.

Hudson walked one and struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning to record his 10th save of the season during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander hadn't pitched since Tuesday and had blown his last two save chances, but Hudson was up to the task in Saturday's nightcap, His 6.10 ERA on the season has been fueled by six homers allowed in 20.2 innings, but otherwise Hudson's 1.26 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB have been solid. With one year left on his current contract, the 33-year-old will likely be back in a high-leverage role for the Nats in 2021.