Doolittle (knee) is slated to throw a simulated game Wednesday and is hoping to be activated from the injured list during Washington's upcoming series with Miami, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

It doesn't appear as though Doolittle will return from the injured list when eligible Wednesday, though he's not expected to remain out for much longer. Assuming his sim games goes as planned, the Nationals will likely activate Doolittle sometime over the weekend and return him to the closer role.

Doolittle (knee) has thrown off a mound for the past two days and is hoping to be activated when first eligible to return from the injured list, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle was placed on the injured list last Sunday, so the fact that he's throwing this soon after his injury is a positive sign. He had run into struggles in August, allowing 10 earned runs and five home runs across seven innings. While Doolittle should be in line to be the team's closer upon his return, the Nationals will likely keep a close eye on his workload and may not have much patience if his struggles continue.

Doolittle was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with right knee tendinitis, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

He gave up four runs (three home runs) and recorded just one out in Saturday's save opportunity, pitching for a second day in a row. It sounds like the Nationals mostly want to just give their closer an extended rest in hopes that he will be able to get right for the final month of the season. Even upon his activation, they may no longer use him on back-to-back days. Daniel Hudson, Hunter Strickland and Fernando Rodney could all be options to get save opportunities in the short term.

Doolittle and manager Dave Martinez both acknowledged that the team may need to treat save situations differently moving forward after the closer gave up three home runs during Saturday's blown save, Mark Zuckerman of MASN reports.

EDGE Analysis

It sounds like the Nationals will back off of using Doolittle for every save situation in an effort to manage his workload down the stretch. He logged a one-inning save Thursday and then gave up four earned runs while recording just one out Friday. They may simply opt to not use him on back-to-back days going forward. Fernando Rodney, Daniel Hudson and Hunter Strickland could all get save opportunities when Doolittle is not available.

Doolittle allowed one walk with no hits and struck out a batter during the ninth to record his 28th save in a 2-1 victory against the Brewers on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old still has an ERA higher than most owners would like for their closers, but he's posted six wins and 28 saves. He also has 59 strikeouts in 51.2 innings. That makes the fact he owns a 3.66 ERA and 1.34 WHIP a little easier to swallow.

Doolittle gave up two runs on three hits and one walk through one inning to record his 27th save in a 7-6 win over the Reds on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle made it as interesting as he could, allowing a solo home run and two runs before working out of trouble to record his 27th save. The left-hander was being used for the third time in four days, but his 10.38 ERA in August is a cause for concern. The 32-year-old has a 3.73 ERA with 58 strikeouts through 52 appearances this season.

Doolittle struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning Sunday to earn the save over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

It was a much-needed bounce-back performance after Doolittle was rocked for four runs in his last outing. The 32-year-old is now 26-of-31 in save chances with a 3.44 ERA this year. Fortunately, Doolittle has been given a pretty long leash this season without many other options in the Nationals bullpen.

Doolittle (6-4) took the loss Friday, getting hammered for four runs on six hits in two-thirds of an inning to blow his fifth save of the season as the Nationals lost to the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Entering the game in the ninth inning to protect a 6-3 lead, Doolittle melted down completely, serving up four straight hits -- including a game-tying homer to Todd Frazier -- before Michael Conforto finally walked it off with an RBI single. Doolittle now has a 3.51 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, ratios far worse than his prior two campaigns in Washington, and he's 25-for-30 in converting save chances this year after blowing only two of his first 48 chances as a Nat.

Doolittle allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 25th save of the season in a win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw is a perfect 6-for-6 in save chances since the All-Star break, posting a 1.69 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 13:0 K:BB over 10.2 innings to begin the second half. On the season, Doolittle now sports a 2.81 ERA and 10.7 K/9 with 25 saves in 29 opportunities.

Doolittle tossed a perfect ninth inning during Monday's 4-0 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

It was a bit of a weird outing for Doolittle, who failed to record a strikeout in the non-save situation. The 32-year-old managed to lower his ERA to 2.87 with his second straight scoreless frame after allowing solo homers in each of his two previous appearances.