ST. LOUIS – Dylan Crews’ path back to the active roster took another big step Wednesday when the Nationals outfielder began throwing for the first time since suffering an oblique strain seven weeks ago.

Crews participated with his fellow outfielders prior to tonight’s game against the Cardinals in defensive drills and shagged fly balls during batting practice. He was purposely being cautious with his throws, but he felt comfortable enough to make a lunging, backhanded grab of a line drive hit to his right, a good test for his core muscles.

Though he isn’t taking BP on the field yet, Crews has been hitting in the batting cage for the last week, further signs of his progress.

“He’s feeling good right now,” interim manager Miguel Cairo said. “Yesterday he threw from the outfield. He’s been hitting in the cages. It’s a good sign. Yesterday I talked to him and asked how he’s feeling, and he said he’s feeling great. Just waiting to see this protocol he has got to follow with the trainers, but hopefully he can come back sooner than later.”

Crews hurt himself May 20 on a check swing, tugging at his right side. He was shut down from anything resembling baseball activity for more than a month while the oblique muscle healed, and has been slowly ramping up his rehab since cleared to begin.

The 23-year-old began traveling with the Nationals on their last road trip to the West Coast and joined them on this final trip before the All-Star break to St. Louis and Milwaukee.

As the club has experienced turmoil, including the firing of general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Davey Martinez following Sunday’s loss to the Red Sox, Crews has been stuck watching from the sideline, itching to get back in the lineup.

“I’ve got to tell you, it is hard. I’ve been on the (injured) list. I was there for a long time, too. And it’s hard, because you don’t feel like you’re contributing,” Cairo said. “You want to be with your friends and your teammates. It’s a hard feeling, but he’s looking forward to coming back. He’s working really hard with his rehab. And hopefully sooner or later, he’ll be back.”

Cairo didn’t offer a specific timeline, but barring any setbacks, Crews should be ready to begin a minor league rehab assignment soon, whether just before or just after the All-Star break. That could peg his return from the 15-day injured list within the next 10-to-14 days.

“He’s going to be a part of the future on this team, and hopefully he comes back soon,” Cairo said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how he’s going to enjoy playing the game. He plays with energy. I’m just waiting to see what he can do to help us.”

* Shinnosuke Ogasawara will start Saturday’s game against the Brewers, the left-hander’s second major league outing.

Ogasawara struggled in his debut Sunday, putting the Nats in a 4-0 hole only five batters into the first inning. Though he wasn’t charged with any more runs before departing with two outs in the third, he ultimately retired only seven of 16 batters faced.

With top pitching prospect Cade Cavalli also struggling his last two starts at Triple-A Rochester, the Nationals are keeping Ogasawara (who signed a two-year, $3.5 million deal out of Japan last winter) in the rotation for now. Those plans could change coming out of the All-Star break.

“If he throws strikes, and he keeps the hitters out of balance, he’s going to have a good chance,” Cairo said. “He’s got a good curveball. The changeup is really good. To see him pitch against Boston, that’s a really good hitting team. He just had one bad inning. After that he came back and made some pitches and did a good job.”

Ogasawara will face veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff, making his second start back from 2023 shoulder surgery, in the middle game of the weekend series. Friday night’s opener will see Mitchell Parker go up against right-hander Quinn Priester. Sunday’s first-half finale features Jake Irvin against right-hander Freddy Peralta.