Nats face differing timelines for rehabbing Edwards, Rainey

NEW YORK – Two key Nationals relievers are ready to start facing live hitters in game-like situations. The club is motivated to get one of them off the injured list as soon as possible, not as much with the other.

Carl Edwards Jr. and Tanner Rainey are both scheduled to face hitters in a simulated game Friday in West Palm Beach, Fla., the first time each right-hander will reach that stage of his respective rehab program.

A simulated game is usually the final step for a recovering pitcher before he begins a minor league rehab assignment, but while Edwards may be ready to take that final step soon, the Nats appear likely to wait a bit longer with Rainey.

Edwards, on the 15-day IL with inflammation in his shoulder, has been out since June 19. The 31-year-old, who had a 3.69 ERA and two saves in 32 appearances before getting hurt, was going to be one of the Nationals’ top trade chips this summer. With the Aug. 2 deadline now only five days away, Edwards is almost out of time to make it back onto the active roster to prove to interested clubs he’s fully healthy again.

Teams are allowed to trade players who are on the IL – the Nats did it with Kyle Schwarber in 2021 – but the return for injured players is almost always going to be diminished to some extent. If the Nationals can get Edwards back on the active roster and to pitch at least once for them before Aug. 2, they might be able to find a taker willing to give up a prospect of more consequence for the veteran setup man.

“He says he feels really good right now,” manager Davey Martinez said. “Hopefully he throws a sim game, and we’ll see how things go. Maybe we’ll move him up to the next step.”

Rainey, meanwhile, is nearing the one-year anniversary of his Tommy John surgery, an important benchmark. Many pitchers return to big league action right around that point, but it appears the Nationals will wait a bit longer with Rainey.

“He’s had Tommy John, and we’ve still got a few more months until his scheduled return would be,” Martinez said. “I think at this point we’re going to keep building him up. Hopefully by the end of August, maybe September, we get him into some games if everything goes well. I want him to finish up knowing he was on the mound and competing. And then he can start his regular winter program.”

With the Nats well out of any pennant race, there’s little incentive to rush Rainey back. They do want to make sure he does get a chance to pitch for them down the stretch, though, recognizing the impact that can have heading into the offseason and a 2024 season in which Rainey will be expected to hold a prominent, late-inning role.

“For me, I think it takes a lot off their minds,” Martinez said, “if they can get back on the mound and have a full winter of just preparing themselves to get ready for spring training.”

* Thaddeus Ward has thrown up to 105 feet on flat ground and is scheduled to throw off a bullpen mound Friday for the first time since landing on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation. The rookie Rule 5 draftee will be restricted to fastballs and changeups only during that bullpen session, waiting to add his sweeper during a future session.