Fister scoreless rehab start and what about Chapman rumors? (updated)

The Nationals have hit a heavy skid the past two weeks, losing 11 of their last 14 games. One reason is the amount of starters that have been placed on the disabled list.

Offensive starters like Denard Span, Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon have spent a good amount of time unable to play in regular season games due to various injuries and setbacks.

The pitching staff has been hit significantly as well with starters Doug Fister and Stephen Strasburg on the disabled list. Craig Stammen is out for the season. Aaron Barrett, Felipe Rivero, Casey Janssen and Sammy Solis have also spent stints off the field and being unavailable.

Reed Johnson, Nate McLouth and Erik Davis have been available for a combined 22 games. McLouth is on 60-day disabled lsit.

The result has been tough at times for the bullpen. This season 17 pitchers have been used out of the bullpen where last season only 12 hurlers were needed through October games.

Some good news arrived Friday with Fister (right forearm tightness) pitching six scoreless innings and allowing only two hits. Last week he took full batting practice swings before a game at Nats Park. Fister could be activated for his next start, which could be Wednesday night's home series opener against the Rays. Fister has been on the disabled list since May 15.

Strasburg (neck tightness) worked on finding his release point during a bullpen session Friday in Milwaukee. If he can get back soon, that would mean the starting rotation might be back to it's expected form by the beginning of July.

David Carpenter tossed a scoreless eighth inning Friday, including a strikeout of Jonathan Lucroy. If he can provide the mid-90 mph stuff he offered in 2013 and parts of 2014 with the Braves, that would be a huge get to help the Nats bridge to Drew Storen late in games.

But the injury bug has got to be cleared up sooner rather than later before things get too loose in the N.L. East. Fortunately, no one else has been able to run away with the division. The Nationals need to take this time to get healthy and find a way to win some games before the All-Star break.

The biggest nugget I have heard from an industry source is there have been preliminary talks between the Nationals and Reds regarding closer Aroldis Chapman and his 101 mph fastball. That would be an amazing get for the Nationals. You could use Chapman in the eighth or ninth innings, so it doesn't have to affect Drew Storen and his status. Chapman is under team control through the 2016 season.

Update: I have now learned that the Chapman rumors are just that, and there actually have not been any substantial talks at all.