Drew Storen is slated to face live hitters Friday for the first time since elbow surgery.

Storen began mound work earlier this month and is now throwing at about 85-90 percent. He'll likely need to throw a few batting practice sessions before going out on a minor league rehab assignment, but he remains on track to return around the All-Star break.

Drew Storen said he ''hopes to return to the team in a month or less.''

Storen is throwing off a mound three times a week, and slowly increasing his workload. "Feeling really good," he said. "My command is good and my mechanics are still there. I'm pretty happy with where I'm at." Storen has progressed ahead of schedule, but he's yet to be cleared for a rehab assignment. Manager Davey Johnson said he expects Storen to return by the All-Star break.

Manager Davey Johnson said Drew Storen (elbow) looks "for sure" to return by the All-Star break.

That's been the timetable all along, but this is obviously another step in the right direction. Storen has progressed well, and could be cleared for a rehab assignment sometime next week.

Drew Storen has thrown on back-to-back days for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery in April.

Storen threw from 90 feet on Tuesday, but has stretched it out as far as 120 feet already. He's hoping to return around the All-Star break.

Drew Storen (elbow) is aiming to return to the Nationals around the All-Star break.

We heard earlier this week from manager Davey Johnson that Storen could begin a minor league rehab assignment later this month, but it doesn't sound like that's the case. The closer made 100 light throws in a game of catch Wednesday, and there's currently no timetable for his return to the mound. Henry Rodriguez will continue to close until Storen is ready, assuming he hasn't lost the job by then.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that Drew Storen (elbow) threw Monday and "felt great."

Storen is currently working his way back from minor surgery on his right elbow in early April. Johnson previously said that the young right-hander could begin a minor league rehab assignment later this month, so he could potentially return in the early part of June. Despite his recent hiccups, Henry Rodriguez will continue to handle save chances for now.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Wednesday that Drew Storen (elbow) could begin throwing this week.

Storen has been on the disabled list since the start of the regular season with an elbow injury that eventually required minor surgery. Johnson suggested to reporters Wednesday that the 24-year-old closer could begin pitching in minor league rehab games by the end of this month, indicating that Storen is on track for an early-June return.

Drew Storen thinks he's ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery to remove bone fragments from his throwing elbow.

Storen has been doing a lot of flexibility work in an effort to regain full motion in his elbow and says he can feel a noticeable difference from when the bone chip was there. He'll meet with Nationals medical director Wiemi Douoguih on Tuesday to map out his plan. The Nats said at the time of the surgery that they expect the closer back prior to the All-Star break.

Drew Storen had minor elbow surgery Wednesday.

The procedure was designed to remove bone fragments from Storen's throwing elbow and was deemed an initial success. It's not exactly clear how long the 24-year-old closer will be out, but the Nationals are optimistic that he'll be back sometime before the All-Star break. Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez will continue sharing ninth-inning duties for the time being in Washington.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that he will hopefully have an update on Drew Storen (elbow) after Wednesday's game.

Storen went to see Dr. James Andrews after feeling tenderness in his elbow during a bullpen session Sunday. The Nationals are hopeful that he's dealing with a loose body or bone chip, not ligament damage, but we should know something more definitive soon. Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez will continue to share closing duties and should be owned in all formats.

Drew Storen (elbow) is expected to begin facing live hitters in the next seven to 10 days.

Storen will head out on a minor league rehab assignment soon after that and should be ready to join the Nationals' bullpen at some point in late April. The 24-year-old closer is currently sidelined by a sore elbow. Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez will split ninth-inning duties in the meantime.

Drew Storen (elbow) is scheduled to throw around 25 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday.

If all goes well, Storen will either head back to Viera to continue his rehab or pitch with a minor league affiliate. The early expectation is that he should be back in mid-April. Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez are expected to split the closer role for now.

Drew Storen (elbow) threw off a mound Saturday with no issues.

The Nationals have yet to establish a firm timetable for their closer, but he's progressing and shouldn't miss more than the first week or two of the season. Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez are expected to share the closer role until Storen is ready to return.

Drew Storen (elbow) is scheduled to throw off a mound Saturday.

Storen has been long-tossing and feels great. The Nationals closer will start the season on the disabled list with inflammation in his pitching elbow, but he seems likely to be ready shortly into the season. Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez are expected to share the closer role until Storen is ready.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson confirmed Wednesday that Drew Storen (elbow) is expected to begin the season on the disabled list.

Storen played catch Tuesday for the first time in a week, but he's simply running out of time. Johnson said that the 24-year-old right-hander could be back by mid-April, but admitted that maybe he's being "overly optimistic." Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez are expected to share the closer role for now.

Drew Storen (elbow) felt no pain after playing catch Tuesday for the first time in a week.

Good news. Storen threw from 90 feet Tuesday and is expected to stretch it out to 120 feet on Wednesday. If all goes well, he could get back on a mound later this week. Storen is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, but he shouldn't miss much time as long as he continues to make progress. Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez are expected to split ninth-inning duties until he is ready to return.

According to the Washington Times, the Nationals are "preparing for possibility'' that Drew Storen will not be available on Opening Day.

Manager Davey Johnson said his preference would be to use Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez in closer roles, while allowing Tyler Clippard to stay in his normal set-up role. Storen wouldn't need many innings to get ready for Opening Day, but is in danger of missing the start of the season.

An MRI on Drew Storen's pitching elbow has revealed no structural issues.

Storen's UCL looked fine, as he just has some inflammation in his elbow joint. The Nationals never seemed too worried about their closer, but it's good to have some confirmation that nothing is seriously wrong with him. He'll rest for a couple more days before resuming throwing. Storen could still have time to get ready for the start of the season, but it's not a guarantee.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson confirmed that Drew Storen was being sent for further tests regarding the discomfort in his biceps and triceps.

Storen felt some discomfort playing catch Wednesday, which is somewhat of a concern after he experienced similar symptoms over his first two outings of the spring. It doesn't appear as though he's in danger for missing the start of the season, but the Nats plan to be extra careful with him over the next few days.

Drew Storen experienced arm discomfort playing catch Wednesday.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson is downplaying the situation, but it's a bit troubling after Storen reported some soreness in the biceps area of his right arm after his first two appearances of the spring. The 24-year-old right-hander logged 75 1/3 innings last year.