One more outing for Rosenthal before decision (Nats down 5-4)

SAN DIEGO - It looks like the Nationals will send Trevor Rosenthal to the mound one more time for Harrisburg before making a final decision whether to bring the erratic reliever back to the majors or cut ties with him.

Rosenthal pitched back-to-back games at Double-A on Tuesday and Wednesday, the first time he's done that since beginning a rehab assignment four weeks ago. Manager Davey Martinez said the right-hander will take a couple days off, then is scheduled to pitch again this weekend.

"We'd like for him to pitch again on Saturday," Martinez said. "And then obviously we have to make a decision."

The Nationals can't put off that decision any longer, because Sunday will be Rosenthal's 30th day on the rehab assignment, the maximum allowed for pitchers. By Monday, the club must either activate him off the injured list or remove him from their 40-man roster. (The Commissioner's Office could theoretically grant another rehab assignment based on Rosenthal suffering a new injury or a recurrence of the viral infection that landed him on the IL in the first place, but that doesn't seem a likely outcome.)

Rosenthal tossed a scoreless inning Tuesday, perhaps his best outing to date. He struck out the first two batters he faced Wednesday, then allowed a single and an opposite-field home run before getting out of the inning.

"He's had two pretty decent outings," Martinez said. "I know yesterday, I know it's on video of him giving up a home run, but he's throwing strikes. Which is nice. He's throwing the ball where he needs to throw it. If he has another good outing, he's OK."

Meanwhile, two other injured pitchers don't appear to be on the verge of returning to the active roster. Reliever Justin Miller, out since May 18 with a right rotator cuff strain, has begun throwing off the bullpen mound. Starter Jeremy Hellickson, out since May 20 with a right shoulder strain, has not yet been cleared to resume throwing and likely won't be until the Nationals return home next week.

Update: The Nationals' bats were out in full force in the top of the first tonight, piling up four runs off Padres starter Joey Lucchesi. Juan Soto ignited the rally when he battled back from an 0-2 count to draw a two-out walk. That set the stage for Howie Kendrick to single up the middle and drive in two runs. Moments later, Brian Dozier launched a ball into the Western Metal Supply Co. building down the left field line, giving the Nats a 4-0 lead. Patrick Corbin, though, has been erratic early on tonight, issuing walks to three of the first 10 batters he faced. He also served up a towering homer to Hunter Renfroe, cutting the Nats' lead in half. It's 4-2 in the third.

Update II: Corbin just wasn't himself tonight. He wound up walking five batters in five innings. He also allowed five hits. And then his defense let him down. With the bases loaded and nobody out in the fifth, Corbin got Manny Machado to ground to short. Trea Turner tried to throw to third and had Fernando Tatis Jr. out, but Anthony Rendon couldn't catch the throw. It skipped away, and two runs scored. The Padres wound up taking the lead, 5-4, so now the Nats must rally and simultaneously hope for four quality innings from their bullpen.