Dickerson rehabbing with Nats, Doolittle returns to Florida

DENVER – Though he made it only two days into the season before landing on the injured list, Corey Dickerson is traveling with the Nationals and hoping his stint off the active roster is a short one.

Dickerson, who suffered a left calf strain Saturday against the Braves and was placed on the 10-day IL the following morning, flew with the Nats to Colorado and will spend this road trip rehabbing. The veteran left fielder is already taking light swings in the cage.

“I wanted him here,” manager Davey Martinez said. “He’s feeling better each and every day, which is a good sign.”

Though he’s able to swing a bat, Dickerson has not tested his leg yet. Martinez said that will probably happen first on an AlterG treadmill, after which a decision will be made if he can progress to the field.

Dickerson technically is eligible to return one week from today. Given how few at-bats he was able to take before suffering the injury, he may need to go on a minor league rehab assignment before coming off the IL.

“He said he took some dry swings and some flips, and he said he didn’t feel it, which is great,” Martinez said. “Now it’s the running portion of it. Once we get him in that, we’ll see how far along we’ve got him. It may take him just a day or two of at-bats and then we’ll get him going. It may not take any. We’ll see.”

Alex Call is again starting in left field today in Dickerson’s place, batting second for the second straight day. Ildemaro Vargas has also started one game.

* Sean Doolittle and Tanner Rainey have returned to West Palm Beach, Fla., to resume their rehab programs after joining the team in D.C. for the opening homestand.

Doolittle, rehabbing from last summer’s internal brace procedure on his elbow, is throwing on flat ground but has not yet taken the mound.

Rainey, rehabbing from last summer’s Tommy John surgery, continues to play catch but won’t be allowed to take the mound for a while longer.

* Carter Kieboom (shoulder) has resumed making throws from third to first base after being shut down for several weeks. He has been able to bat throughout and has served as designated hitter in extended spring training games.