Drew Storen is one of six major league players to have qualified for Super Two arbitration status.

Players with at least two years and 139 days of service time get to have an extra year of arbitration eligibility. Others that made the cut include Rays outfielder Sam Fuld, Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, Mets catcher Josh Thole, Rockies outfielder Tyler Colvin and Diamondbacks third baseman Chris Johnson. Mariners outfielder Michael Saunders fell just one day shy of Super Two status, while Giancarlo Stanton, Stephen Strasburg, Daniel Hudson, Alexi Ogando and Jonathan Lucroy also came close to reaching the threshold.

Drew Storen imploded in the ninth inning on Friday, surrendering four runs on three hits and two walks in his lone inning of work.

Storen fanned two in the brutal appearance. He took over with a 7-5 lead and was welcomed into the game by a leadoff double from Carlos Beltran. Matt Holliday grounded out, moving Beltran to third, then Allen Craig struck out swinging. Twice, he was just one strike away from the Nationals' first appearance in the NLCS, but Storen walked Yadier Molina and David Freese to load the bases. Daniel Descalso smashed a two-run single off the glove of Ian Desmond to tie the game at 7-7. It would get worse though, as Pete Kozma singled to right, plating another pair of runs and ending the Nationals' season in horrifying fashion.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Monday that he'll go with Drew Storen in the ninth inning for now.

The closer role previously belonged to Tyler Clippard, but he has been scored upon in four out of his last five appearances. Meanwhile, Storen hasn't allowed an earned run since September 1. Johnson still trusts Clippard and plans to mix him in when appropriate, but Storen is the pitcher to own in fantasy leagues right now.

Drew Storen has registered a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP through 19 1/3 innings this season.

Tyler Clippard has been excellent as the Nationals' closer, so Storen is settling into a setup role. Washington will presumably reassess its relievers this offseason.

Drew Storen -- who earned his first save of the season on Sunday -- wants a larger workload going forward.

Storen, who had 43 saves last year, only allowed a single during his scoreless ninth Sunday against the Marlins. Tyler Clippard was given a breather after throwing in three straight games. Clippard, who has struggled recently, should be on alert, however. Writes the Washington Post's James Wagner: "The larger implication of Storen's progress is that he can now be used as an additional closer. Johnson likes to use an "A" and "B" closer, someone who can spell the other when overworked or matchups are better." Mixed leaguers with an open roster spot should take a long look at Storen.

Drew Storen pitched a scoreless inning Thursday in his first appearance back from the disabled list.

Storen doesn't have all of his velocity back yet, but he still looked pretty good while retiring all three batters he faced. It's doubtful the Nationals will insert him back into the closer's role within the next few weeks.

Nationals activated RHP Drew Storen from the 60-day disabled list.

Rick Ankiel was designated for assignment to clear space on the Nationals' 40-man and 25-man rosters. Storen will return to a setup role but could be in line for save opportunities down the line if current closer Tyler Clippard should falter. Storen hasn't appeared in a game this season because of elbow issues.

Drew Storen (elbow) could be activated Thursday.

Storen looked sharp Tuesday in his latest rehab appearance at High-A Potomac, and seems ready to help the Nationals. He hasn't pitched in a game this season because of elbow issues, but the 24-year-old right-hander is worth a flier in deeper fantasy leagues because of the faith the Nationals have in his ability to close out games. For now, Tyler Clippard will remain Washington's ninth-inning man.

Drew Storen (elbow) tossed a scoreless inning Tuesday in his latest rehab appearance with High-A Potomac.

That's better. Storen didn't issue any walks, threw 10 out of 11 pitches for strikes and notched two swinging strikeouts. It's not clear how many more rehab appearances he'll need, but he's getting closer.

Drew Storen (elbow) will resume his minor league rehab assignment Tuesday with High-A Potomac.

Storen has allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings in five rehab appearances between Double-A Harrisburg and High-A Potomac. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Monday that his arm strength and velocity are fine, but they clearly want him to get better results before coming off the disabled list.

Drew Storen (elbow) will make his next rehab appearance Tuesday for either Double-A Harrisburg or High-A Potomac.

Storen was knocked around for four runs on three hits (including a home run) and a walk in his most recent appearance on Sunday, but Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Monday that his arm strength and velocity are fine. Still, the Nats want him to get more work in the minors before activating him from the disabled list. He's expected to return in a set-up role while Tyler Clippard will continue to serve as closer.

Drew Storen (elbow), who was initially expected to come off the DL on Friday, will continue to pitch on a rehab assignment over the weekend.

Storen noticed some arm fatigue near the end of his two-inning stint with High-A Potomac on Thursday, prompting the change to the original timetable. The Nationals want him to make at least one more appearance, possibly more, to build up his arm strength before returning to a setup role in the bullpen.

Drew Storen (elbow) allowed one run over two innings Thursday in his fourth rehab appearance with High-A Potomac.

Storen gave up a solo home run and threw a wild pitch, but he managed to pick up five strikeouts. He has allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk during his rehab assignment. The Nationals want him to get more work in the minors, but he's not too far away.

Drew Storen (elbow) tossed a scoreless inning Monday in his third rehab appearance with High-A Potomac.

Storen needed just six pitches to get out of the inning. After striking out the first batter swinging, his third baseman committed a fielding error. However, he was able to respond by inducing a double play grounder. Storen has now allowed two runs (one earned) over three innings while striking out one and walking one. He'll likely have to make back-to-back appearances before rejoining the Nationals' bullpen, but that's likely not far away. Look for him to return shortly after the All-Star break.

Drew Storen reported having "good soreness" in his surgically-repaired elbow following a second rehab appearance for High-A Potomac Saturday, according to Nationals manager Davey Johnson.

Storen allowed two runs -- one earned -- in the outing. He's expected to be used for multiple innings and also pitch on back-to-back days before rejoining the Nationals bullpen, which should happen shortly after the All-Star break.

Drew Storen (elbow) tossed a perfect inning Thursday in his first minor league rehab appearance with High-A Potomac.

Storen needed just eight pitches to get through the inning, inducing a popout, a flyout and a groundout. He's scheduled to make three more rehab appearances -- one every other day -- before coming off the disabled list when the Nationals begin the second half of the season next Friday against the Marlins. He is expected to return as a set-up man for new closer Tyler Clippard.

Drew Storen (elbow) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Thursday with High-A Potomac.

Chad Tracy (groin) and Xavier Nady (wrist) are considered likely to join him. Storen will likely need a handful of rehab appearances, but he's aiming to return right after the All-Star break. Tyler Clippard has emerged as a dominant closer during his absence and could keep the ninth inning gig.

Drew Storen (elbow) could throw a simulated game later this week.

Storen is headed to the Nationals' spring training complex to throw another session of live batting practice before rejoining the team on Friday. The 24-year-old is slated to return in mid-July and it appears that it will be in a setup role.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Saturday that Drew Storen (elbow) might return in a setup role.

Tyler Clippard has a 1.90 ERA on the season and collected his 12th consecutive save on Saturday night. Storen, meanwhile, is still recovering from elbow surgery.

Drew Storen threw batting practice Friday afternoon for the first time since elbow surgery.

Storen threw all fastballs, but it was a step in the right direction. He'll need to start incorporating his secondary stuff before being cleared for a minor league rehab assignment, but he's currently aiming to return around the All-Star break.