Rainey (lower leg) was activated off the 10-day injured list Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey wound up missing a month with a stress reaction in his right tibia. He could be in the mix for saves down the stretch, as the Nationals dealt Brad Hand to the Blue Jays on Thursday. His 42.7 percent strikeout rate and 2.66 ERA last year would make him seem like a strong candidate, though his strikeout rate has fallen to 26.5 percent this season while his ERA has ballooned to 6.93.

Rainey (lower leg) retired two of the five batters he faced in his first rehab outing with Triple-A Rochester on Sunday. He was charged with an earned run on one hit and two walks during the 24-pitch outing.

EDGE Analysis

Pitching in a game for the first time since June 27, Rainey struggled to find the zone, as he pumped in only 11 pitches for strikes. The outing wasn't all bad for Rainey, who recorded both of his outs via strikeout. if Rainey shows improved control in his next outing with Rochester, it could be enough for the Nationals to activate him from the 10-day injured list.

Rainey (lower leg) tossed a 20-pitch bullpen session Monday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Dougherty, Rainey was throwing from a distance shorter than the standard 60 feet to home plate, so he has yet to complete a traditional bullpen session since landing on the injured list in late June with a stress reaction in his right tibia. That said, the Nationals believe Rainey is ahead of schedule in his recovery from the injury. A firmer target date for Rainey's return from the IL should emerge once he's facing hitters in live batting practice, but based on where he currently stands in his throwing program, he'll be hard pressed to make it back before the end of July.

The Nationals placed Rainey on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a stress reaction in his right tibia, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The righty felt discomfort in that right leg, his push-off leg, while pitching Sunday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. Despite having a hefty 6.93 ERA on the season, Rainey has held opponents scoreless in nine of his last 10 appearances and has been one of the Nationals most trusted late-inning relievers. Wander Suero and Austin Voth are likely to earn more high-leverage opportunities during Rainey's absence, the length of which is unclear at this time.

Rainey (1-2) allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning, earning the win in Wednesday's 13-12 win over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

The righty also had a blown save by letting both inherited runners score in the eighth inning. With the two outs, Rainey lowered his ERA to a still-alarming 7.54, though seven of his last eight appearances have been scoreless and he remains the second most-trusted option in the Nationals' bullpen while Daniel Hudson (elbow) is out.

Rainey was credited with the save Wednesday against the Rays, completing a scoreless inning during which he walked one and struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Usual closer Brad Hand was brought in with the score tied in the ninth inning, and he kept Tampa Bay off the board to push the game into extra innings. Each team scored a pair of runs in the 10th, and the Nationals put up two more in their half of the 11th frame. Rainey was then summoned to protect the lead, and he succeeded on the strength of two strikeouts and a groundout. The save was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for the right-hander, who has posted a 9.35 ERA and 24:15 K:BB across 17.1 innings.

Rainey was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey felt good after throwing an extended bullpen session Wednesday, and he'll be available for Thursday's matchup against Cincinnati. The right-hander posted a 7.30 ERA and 1.95 WHIP in 12.1 innings across 16 relief appearances to begin the year.

Rainey (COVID-19 protocols) threw an extended bullpen session Wednesday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey had been on the COVID-19 injured list since May 19, but he was cleared to return to the team's clubhouse Tuesday. Manager Dave Martinez said that Rainey will be reinstated from the injured list Thursday if the right-hander continues to feel good following his throwing session.

Rainey was cleared to return to the Nationals from the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday and will be evaluated by trainers before being officially activated, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The reliever was given the green light to return to the Nationals' clubhouse Tuesday, but the club declined to officially activate him prior to Tuesday's game against the Reds. Expect a roster move in the coming days.

Rainey (undisclosed) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Erik Fedde was also placed on the specialized injured list, with one player having tested positive for the virus while the other is out for contract tracing, though it's unclear which issue each player is dealing with. Regardless, Fedde and Rainey will be sidelined until they clear the league's COVID-19 protocols.