Potomac's Solis to return Monday; Higley slated for Aug. 27

Potomac Nationals left-hander Sammy Solis threw a bullpen session Friday and everything felt good with his elbow and his throwing arm. Solis thinks he will be activated and start Monday night after missing nearly a week with elbow inflammation. He threw 30 pitches and came away pleased with the session. "Fantastic," Solis said. "Everything was moving good. Velocity was good. It is just coming back after missing five days. You have to get in the rhythm of things and that is what I did." Solis said Potomac Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart conducted the bullpen session and talked to him after the workout. "Paul just wanted to see me hit spots, keep the ball down in the zone, nothing nasty, we weren't going 100 percent. It was just to get the feel of the pitches back," Solis said. Solis allowed a pair of solo homers August 2 when he felt elbow pain after the game. An MRI revealed no structural damage and Solis was treated for elbow inflammation. He has lost two of his last three decisions but has done well overall after his quick promotion to Potomac. His record stands at 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA in six starts. Outfielder J.R. Higley was back with the team as he recovers from surgery to his left hand. Higley broke his hamate bone and showed the two-inch scar with stitches in the palm of his hand. He expects the stitches to be removed this week and believes he will be back with the P-Nats August 27. Higley is also hoping the P-Nats can extend their season into the playoffs so he can get some more playing time. He does not know if he will be playing winter ball or going back to the Nationals facility in Florida after the season is over to get more at-bats, but he is anxious to get back on the field.