'Pen session goes well, Fister set for rehab start
Nats righty likely to throw four frames and/or 60 pitches for Potomac on Sunday
WASHINGTON -- Doug Fister appears ready to make his next rehab appearance this weekend, according to Nationals manager Matt Williams.
Williams, in his pregame news conference Thursday, said that Fister (lat strain) felt fine after a 40-pitch bullpen session earlier in the day. His next start is scheduled for Sunday, which the manager thinks will be with the Class A Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League.
"He felt good in the bullpen today, so he's good to go for his next one," Williams said.
Williams said Fister would probably go around four innings and/or 60 pitches on Sunday. Fister has yet to pitch with Washington in the regular season, and Williams said the Nationals want him to build up and get stronger.
In fact, the manager said once Fister can get through five innings and be around 75 pitches that they'll consider him ready for a Major League start. But the Nats just don't know exactly how close Fister is to that yet, and they will monitor him once more after the next rehab outing.
"He feels good, ready for his next one," Williams said. "We look at it. It depends on how he feels. [When Fister returns] is still unclear."