Detwiler ready to throw off mound in Miami

MIAMI -- Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler plans to throw off a mound for the first time since July sometime this weekend.

The 27-year-old, who was shut down for 30 days with a herniated disk in his lower back that has kept him out since July 4, made the trip to Miami with the team.

Detwiler has been throwing long toss as well as all of his pitches, going about his typical routine between starts. He has been working on core and stabilization exercises.

Since his arm isn't stretched out, Detwiler would have to pitch out of the bullpen upon a possible return.

"We'll take it every bullpen session and see how it is and how he bounces back," manager Davey Johnson said. "Ideally, I'd like to see him pitch in a game before the end of the year. I think that's going to be important for him mentally going forward and into next year."

Before landing on the DL, Detwiler was 2-7 with a 4.04 ERA in 13 starts over 71 1/3 innings.

"I just want to be back sometime," Detwiler said. "Every time I look at the schedule, I realize there's not many games left, so it pushes me to really want to get back out there a little sooner."