Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Sunday that Rainey (elbow) will "get a few more outings" on his minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 60-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey has a bit of achiness in his right arm, but Martinez labeled it as "the norm" for a pitcher who went a full calendar year between live appearances. Now more than 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery, the 30-year-old reliever has posted a 5.14 ERA and 8:6 K:BB in seven rehab innings between the rookie-level Florida Complex League, Single-A Fredericksburg, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester.

Rainey (elbow) has been transferred to Triple-A Rochester to continue his rehab assignment, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey has allowed two runs with a 5:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings in his first five rehab appearances, which includes three scoreless outings in his last stop with Double-A Harrisburg. He has not yet pitched on back-to-back days, something he'll need to show he can do before making his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery.

Rainey (elbow) threw 19 pitches in a rehab appearance for Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday as he closes in on his return from Tommy John surgery, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander will pitch in another rehab game later this week, but Nationals manager Dave Martinez indicated Rainey will need to show he can work back-to-back games before he'll be activated from the 60-day IL, which could push his return to early September. He did record 12 saves in 2022 before undergoing surgery that August, but Rainey will likely slot into a lower-leverage role behind Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey once he's activated.

Rainey (elbow) is heading out on a rehab assignment with Single-A Fredericksburg this upcoming week, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

He threw a bullpen session Sunday after facing live hitters Friday. Rainey is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, so his rehab assignment could be lengthier than that of the typical injured relief pitcher. Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey (elbow) should be handling the save opportunities over the rest of the season, so Rainey will likely be activated into a setup role, assuming he makes it back this year.

Rainey (elbow) is set to throw to live hitters Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey is in the final stages of returning from Tommy John surgery. He made a rehab appearance in the Florida Complex League on Monday, where he pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout. Now set to throw to live hitters at Nationals Park, the 30-year-old will throw 35-40 pitches. Given that he has only begun facing live hitters, a return to the big-league bullpen is not imminent, but he could return in a couple weeks if he avoids setbacks.

Rainey (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Nationals' Florida Complex League affiliate on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey is finally game-ready following a long road back from Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing reliever will eventually work his way up to higher affiliates and figures to need a good number of appearances before rejoining the Nationals' bullpen.

Rainey (elbow) is scheduled to make a simulated appearance Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey is almost 12 full months removed from Tommy John surgery and could get into a handful of games for the Nationals before their 2023 season comes to an end. He's under club control through 2025 but might be a trade candidate this winter if he's able to prove his health.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Rainey (elbow) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Friday without issue, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Martinez suggested that Rainey might get into minor-league games around early-to-mid July, which would be a little less than 12 months removed from his Tommy John surgery in early August 2022. He's made swift progress and could perhaps factor into the saves mix in Washington by the end of the year, assuming a number of bullpen pieces are unloaded ahead of the trade deadline.

Rainey (elbow) threw 10 pitches off a mound Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey continues to make steady progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery last August. The current hope is that he might be able to return to the Nationals' bullpen toward the end of the 2023 regular season.

The Nationals placed Rainey (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey hopes to return in the latter portion of this season while he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, but it's not a guarantee. The Nationals were able to clear a 40-man roster spot with this transaction.