Rainey landed on the 10-day injured list with a right flexor strain Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The move was made retroactive to Saturday, so Rainey could theoretically rejoin the team Monday for the final week of the season, though that would only be possible if it's a mild strain. His loss will be a blow to the struggling Nationals, as he owns a 2.66 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 42.7 percent strikeout rate in 20.1 innings this season. Aaron Barrett was recalled in a corresponding move.

Rainey is dealing with forearm tightness Saturday and won't pitch for several days, Byron Kerr of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey underwent an MRI on his forearm that came back negative, but manager Dave Martinez said Saturday that he'll get a few days off to recover. The right-hander carries a 2.66 ERA and 0.74 WHIP over 20.1 innings this season.

Rainey struck out two over 1.2 perfect innings Tuesday to record his fourth hold of the season in a 2-1 win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

With Sean Doolittle struggling to begin the year and Will Harris (groin) out since late July, Rainey has stepped up and emerged as a dependable high-leverage arm for manager Dave Martinez. Through eight appearances and 8.1 innings, Rainey has a win to go along with his holds, and his 1.08 ERA, 0.36 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB are all elite. The 27-year-old won't maintain a .000 BABIP forever -- the only hit he allowed was a solo homer, accounting for the only run against him so far -- but Rainey has become a fantasy asset in formats that value holds.

Rainey (1-0) walked one in a scoreless inning of relief to record the win Saturday against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Stephen Strasburg (hand) was a late scratch for this one, and as a result Erick Fedde was pressed into duty in the rotation. Fedde was able to give the Nats four solid innings, and Rainey was the first reliever out of the 'pen afterwards -- and thus the beneficiary of the 5-2 lead he inherited. Rainey was expected to push for a setup job this season rather than work in scenarios such as the one he faced Saturday, but bullpen roles could be very inconsistent all over the league during a chaotic 2020 campaign.

Rainey has posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 3:3 K:BB through 5.1 spring innings.

EDGE Analysis

While the right-hander hasn't been dominant, he also has yet to allow a home run this spring, an encouraging note after he surrendered 10 long balls in his first 55.1 big-league innings over the last two years. Rainey is expected to open the regular season in middle relief for the Nats, but his high-90s fastball and sharp slider could allow him to work his way into a late-inning role if his command takes a step forward.

Rainey has made the Nationals' wild-card roster.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey will be one of nine pitchers the Nationals are carrying Tuesday. He'll make the cut over Wander Suero as the team's fifth reliever, with the team's top four starters each making the roster as well.

Rainey has a 4.74 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 27:14 K:BB with a win and six holds through 19 innings this season.

EDGE Analysis

The strikeout rate is nice, as is his 97 mph fastball, but there isn't much else in Rainey's numbers to suggest he'll become a reliable part of the Nats' bullpen in the second half. Other than in deep NL-only formats that score holds, the 26-year-old has little fantasy value.

Rainey gave up a hit and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning Wednesday to record his first hold of the season in a win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

He entered the game in the sixth inning after Anibal Sanchez has served up a solo homer to Yoan Moncada and got the job done, fanning Eloy Jimenez to end the frame and keep the Nats' 2-1 lead intact. Rainey's been sharp since his promotion, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB through eight innings, but as yet he isn't seeing many high-leverage opportunities. Given the shape of the team's setup crew in front of closer Sean Doolittle, though, that could change quickly if he continues shutting down the opposition.

Rainey was recalled from Triple-A Fresno on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey will take the bullpen spot which had belonged to Justin Miller (shoulder), who was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move. Rainey was hit hard in his big-league debut for the Reds last season, posting a 24.43 ERA and a 7:12 K:BB in seven innings.

Rainey was optioned to Triple-A Fresno Monday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rainey was acquired by the Nationals in exchange for Tanner Roark this offseason. Known as a hard-thrower who lacks control of his pitches, Rainey struggled this spring allowing seven earned runs and three walks in 4.2 innings of work.