Harvey on track to return this week, Rainey ready for rehab

Though the depleted group has performed remarkably well in his absence, the Nationals bullpen is about to get one of its key members back.

Hunter Harvey, out the last four weeks with an elbow strain, is on track to come off the injured list early this week, according to manager Davey Martinez.

Harvey faced live hitters before Friday’s game at Nationals Park, then threw off the bullpen mound prior to today’s series finale against the Athletics. Barring any complications, the right-hander should be ready to come off the 15-day IL, foregoing a minor league rehab assignment.

“I think Hunter should be ready here in the next couple days,” Martinez said.

Ready for what?

“Ready to pitch for us,” Martinez replied. “He’ll be good.”

Harvey’s injury felt like a devastating blow to the Nationals bullpen at the time, forcing Kyle Finnegan back into the full-time closer’s role and forcing less experienced arms into high-leverage roles. The 28-year-old had a 3.12 ERA, 0.992 WHIP and nine saves before suffering the latest in a career filled with ailments.

But the Nats bullpen not only survived the injury but actually thrived. Even with Carl Edwards Jr. and Mason Thompson also on the IL, relievers have produced a 2.65 ERA (lowest in the National League) since July 21, with Finnegan tossing 12 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings as closer.

“They’ve all actually done well,” Martinez said. “And for the most part, they’ve all been put in high-leverage situations. And they’ve handled themselves pretty good, which I love. These guys are taking the ball, they’re getting big outs for us and they’re stepping up.”

Harvey’s return appears to be imminent. Others may not be far behind him.

Thompson, out since August 2 with a left knee contusion, is scheduled to throw a simulated game to live hitters Tuesday. The Nationals will decide after that whether to send the right-hander on a rehab assignment.

Tanner Rainey, who recently passed the one-year mark in his return from Tommy John surgery, is also scheduled to throw a simulated game Tuesday. If that goes well, Martinez said he would begin a rehab assignment for Single-A Fredericksburg, marking his first competitive baseball in more than a year.

The Nationals are allowed to keep Rainey on rehab for 30 days if needed, so his return to the active roster may not happen until mid-September. But even if he makes only a few big league appearances down the stretch, the club would view that as a success heading into 2024.

“He’s in a good spot right now,” Martinez said. “So when Tuesday comes, we’ll send him out. And then hopefully things continue to go well. And if he pitches here with us a few innings, it’ll be great to get him up here and get him in some games, knowing he can go into this winter knowing he’s healthy and can start getting after it again for this spring.”

* The Nationals will send MacKenzie Gore, Josiah Gray and Patrick Corbin to the mound this week against the Red Sox and hope Joan Adon will be good to return after that to face the Phillies on Friday.

Adon had to come out of Friday night’s start against the A’s early with leg cramps, a recurring issue for the right-hander. Because the Nats are attempting to use a six-man rotation now, they can afford to give Adon extra time to return, so his next start would come after a full week’s rest.