Doolittle moved to 60-day IL after receiving PRP injection

DENVER – The Nationals transferred Sean Doolittle to the 60-day injured list this afternoon, revealing the left-hander recently received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his elbow, which will prevent him from throwing for another six weeks. They then used that new opening on the 40-man roster to claim right-hander Cory Abbott from the Giants and immediately option him to Triple-A Rochester.

The move of Doolittle from the 10-day to the 60-day IL ensures he’ll be out until at least late June, but last week’s PRP injection ensured it would probably take that long for him to recover anyway.

“He opted to do that, get it over with, get it done right away,” manager Davey Martinez said before tonight’s game against the Rockies. “Now he’s just going to rehab. He said he feels really good, which is great. We’re just going to rehab him and get him back.”

Doolittle was off to a red-hot start in April after rejoining the Nationals on a one-year, $1.5 million contract this spring. He did not allow a run over his first six relief appearances and only allowed a batter to reach base for the first time in his most recent outing.

But the 35-year-old experienced pain in his elbow during that last appearance and informed club officials. He promptly was placed on the 10-day IL, with hopes he’d be OK to resume throwing after rest and rehab for a couple weeks. All the while, though, he admitted he knew there remained the possibility the sprain was more serious and could require a significant amount of time off or even major surgery.

As of the weekend, neither Doolittle nor fellow reliever Hunter Harvey (also on the 10-day IL with a pronator strain) had been cleared to resume throwing yet. Doolittle was presented with the option of the PRP injection, which ultimately could allow him to return within a couple months and avoid surgery.

“He said he felt better doing it now and getting it over with,” Martinez said. “Now it’s just about rehab and getting him ready. And when he’s able to throw, we’ll get him back as soon as possible.”

Abbott, 26, was the Cubs’ second round pick in the 2017 draft and made his major league debut last season, allowing 13 earned runs on 20 hits, 11 walks and seven homers in only 17 1/3 innings. The Giants just claimed him two weeks ago; he had yet to pitch for them.

“I saw him when he was with the Cubs,” Martinez said. “Good, live arm. He was on waivers. And especially this year, with spring training shortened, you can’t have enough pitching. He’s kind of a depth piece for us.”

* Nelson Cruz is out of the Nationals lineup tonight, one day after he departed the series opener with lower back stiffness. Martinez said the 41-year-old was feeling somewhat better, but the manager didn’t want to take any chances and decided to let him sit tonight, at least to begin the game.

“He’s still a little stiff, so I’d rather be cautious,” Martinez said. “He’ll have an opportunity to pinch-hit if we need him, and then hopefully get him back in the lineup tomorrow.”

Yadiel Hernandez, who has been one of the most productive offensive players in the league over the last two weeks, is batting cleanup and serving as designated hitter in Cruz’s absence. Lane Thomas gets the start in left field, with Victor Robles in center field.

* Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross both faced live hitters in West Palm Beach, Fla., today, as scheduled. Martinez didn’t have a post-workout report on either right-hander yet, but this was considered a significant step in their rehab process and could mean they’re getting close to pitching in minor league games on a rehab assignment.

* Ehire Adrianza (strained quadriceps) has begun running on an Alter-G treadmill. Carter Kieboom (elbow sprain, flexor mass strain) has not been cleared to start throwing yet.