Doolittle encouraged after pitching in simulated game

Having now traded or lost to season-ending injury three different closers, the Nationals could desperately use Sean Doolittle pitching the ninth inning for them again. At long last, it appears as though the All-Star closer is close to making his return from the disabled list.

Doolittle threw a 15-pitch simulated game to teammates Michael A. Taylor and Andrew Stevenson Friday afternoon and emerged feeling encouraged about how his injured left foot felt.

"I was very happy with it," he said. "I think it's another step in the right direction after the last two side sessions that I've thrown."

Doolittle, out since July 7 with what eventually was diagnosed as a stress reaction in his left foot, will throw another simulated game either Sunday or Monday, after which the Nationals will make a decision whether to activate him or wait longer.

"I watched him throw 15 pitches and he looked good," manager Davey Martinez said. "Our biggest concern was the toe. His arm is good. And he said he felt really, really good. He was at about 85 percent throwing, which was great. We'll see how he feels tomorrow and then might do another one Sunday and go from there."

Given the state of the club at this point, and given Doolittle's importance in 2019, it's perhaps fair to question the value of bringing him back for a September that doesn't figure to feature pennant-race ballgames. But the lefty insists it's worth it to him.

"I just want to get back with the guys," he said. "I really want to be able to contribute down the stretch and be able to go back about my daily routines and my business as usual. I miss competing. I miss being out there in the bullpen with the guys. Regardless of what the standings say, we still have a month left. I'm excited to get back out there. I'm excited that I'm continuing to make progress. This won't be something that I have to deal with over the offseason. I can go back to having a normal offseason, rather than trying to rehab my foot in the winter. It's been tempting at times to really try to speed it up, but I think we've done a good job of staying the course and making sure we hit all our checkpoints coming back."