Rainey approaching final stages of Tommy John rehab

From the moment last summer he learned he would need Tommy John surgery, Tanner Rainey established his goal for recovery: Return to the Nationals in one year.

The right-hander now finds himself one month away from that target date, and though he believes he could be pitching in a major league game come early August, he understands why the Nats are purposely slowing him down a bit.

“It’s still a goal,” Rainey said. “I would like to be ready to face hitters full-on around that one-year mark. It’s not something I want to get too tied up in. I’d rather be completely healthy and ready to go than just hit a goal. But obviously that one-year mark is still on my mind.”

After spending the majority of the season rehabbing in West Palm Beach, Fla., Rainey is in Washington this week, invited back by manager Davey Martinez to throw in front of the major league coaching and training staffs and spend some quality time with teammates as he enters the final phase of his recovery process.

Rainey had his elbow ligament replaced August 3. He’s had no setbacks since then and is currently throwing two 45-pitch bullpen sessions per week. He has not faced live hitters yet, but he’s likely to cross that important threshold next week.

Once he shows he can get through live BP with no issues, Rainey will be assigned for a rehab assignment with one of the Nationals’ minor league affiliates. He’s allowed to spend up to 30 days on that assignment before he must either be activated off the 60-day injured list or take a step back due to a new physical ailment and start the process over again.

In their ideal scenario, the Nats will have Rainey come back to pitch for them down the stretch this season, carefully watching his workload and ultimately putting him in position to be a full-fledged member of the 2024 bullpen.

“There’s definitely a light at the end of the tunnel,” Rainey said. “We’ve still got work to do. I’m still just throwing bullpens, no hitters yet. But it’s getting there. It’s moving along as we hoped. Still on schedule, no setbacks.”

Rainey admits it’s tough to be this close to the finish line and maintain a slow-and-steady pace of recovery. This week spent in the Nationals clubhouse pre and postgame, and the home bullpen during games, helps make it easier.

“Oh, it’s great,” he said. “It’s great to be back with the guys, get out of Florida for a week. Just to be able to see everybody, be around here, watch them play, for me it’s big just to be a part of this, even if it’s only a week and I’m going back to Florida next week. Just to be here and see them and get to hang out with all the guys is just a good time.”