Nationals placed RHP Henry Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right index finger.

Rodriguez slammed his finger in a door last week. He tried to pitch through the injury but wasn't really able to. The hard-throwing right-hander leaves behind an ugly 5.19 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 23/14 K/BB ratio. He's converted nine saves in 12 opportunities.

Henry Rodriguez returned to action on Tuesday June 5.

Henry Rodriguez (finger) doesn't think he'll be able to pitch Friday night.

Rodriguez slammed a door on his right index finger earlier this week and is still dealing with some swelling. Consider him day-to-day.

Henry Rodriguez was unavailable to pitch Wednesday after slamming a door on his right index finger.

The finger is a little swollen, but the Nationals are hopeful that Rodriguez will be available to pitch Friday following Thursday's off day. Rodriguez has given up a run in each of his two outings since being removed from the closer role.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Tuesday that Henry Rodriguez is being moved out of the closer role.

Rodriguez is one of the hardest throwers in the major leagues and carries a potentially dominant arsenal, but he has blown three saves and owns an underwhelming 4.50 ERA on the season. The Nationals will use a closer-by-committee approach going forward, with Sean Burnett, Craig Stammen and Tyler Clippard all getting chances until Drew Storen (elbow) is ready to be activated.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson indicated Monday that he is considering using a closer-by-committee moving forward.

Johnson has stood behind Henry Rodriguez throughout his recent struggles, but he's on the verge of making a change after pulling him from a save opportunity Monday night against the Phillies. "I'm going to sleep on it, but I'm looking at other alternatives," said Johnson. We still think Rodriguez will get some chances, but Craig Stammen, Sean Burnett and Tyler Clippard will also be thrown into the mix. It's not an ideal situation for fantasy owners.

Henry Rodriguez returned to action on Saturday May 19.

Henry Rodriguez could be unavailable again Wednesday due to tightness in his right forearm.

Rodriguez was given a mental break from the closer's role Tuesday, but evidently that wasn't the only reason he was unavailable. But, the Nationals don't think he's dealing with anything other than normal soreness. Manager Davey Johnson said Rodriguez remains the team's closer.

Henry Rodriguez will get the day off Tuesday, but Nationals' manager Davey Johnson said that the young fireballer is still the team's closer.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Monday that Henry Rodriguez is still his closer.

Rodriguez has blown two saves in his last four chances, including a walk-off grand slam by Joey Votto on Sunday, but Johnson will continue to rely on him in the ninth inning with Brad Lidge and Drew Storen (elbow) sidelined. "He's still my closer," said Johnson. "As far as I'm concerned, he's been great. I have confidence in him."

Henry Rodriguez blew his third save of the season in Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Reds.

Control issues continue to plague Rodriguez, who seemed to be annoyed by a wet mound in this one. He gave up a leadoff single to Ryan Hanigan and later issued two walks before Joey Votto's walkoff grand slam. It's his second blown save in his last four chances. Rodriguez figures to have a little more leash, but owners should note that Drew Storen (elbow) could be back in early June.

Henry Rodriguez slammed the door on the Reds on Saturday night in Cincinnati, picking up his eighth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning.

Rodriguez struck out the side on only 10 pitches in the brief but impressive showing. He will continue to hold significant fantasy value until Drew Storen returns.

Henry Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth for a save Tuesday against the Padres.

Rodriguez has earned saves in four straight appearances now, and he's still allowed just one hit in 8 1/3 innings for the season. He'll make fans nervous with his control problems from time to time, but he's looking awfully good right now.

Henry Rodriguez picked up his fourth save of the season as the Nationals shut out the Marlins on Friday.

It wasn't Rodriguez' cleanest inning of the season, but he managed to overcome a couple of walks and preserve the shut out. He appears to be distancing himself from Brad Lidge as the team's primary closer in the absence of Drew Storen.

Henry Rodriguez converted his second save of the season Monday, allowing one walk while striking out one in a win over the Astros.

Rodriguez walked Jed Lowrie on a 3-2 pitch with two outs, but he then whiffed J.D. Martinez on three pitches to end it. The hard-throwing right-hander has walked four in 5 1/3 innings this season, but he's also struck out eight and allowed just one hit and no runs. He's out-pitching Brad Lidge right now but will likely continue to share save chances with the veteran while Drew Storen is on the shelf.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said he's grooming Henry Rodriguez to be his backup closer on days when Drew Storen needs a break.

"One thing is, he is as strong as an ox," Johnson said. "I've used him a few times in a row and he has been outstanding. So he can handle any workload that you throw on him." It's a bit of a surprise, as you'd think Tyler Clippard would be first in line for saves behind Storen, but there's no denying Rodriguez has been terrific of late, posting a 2.60 ERA over his last 27 2/3 innings while striking out 32. The flamethrower will be someone to keep in mind later on in drafts next spring.

Henry Rodriguez returned to action on Sunday July 3.

Henry Rodriguez will be unavailable for the Nationals Saturday after being sent home with strep throat.

It's bad timing given that they have a doubleheader with the Pirates Saturday, which will leave the Nats bullpen short-handed. Consider Rodriguez day-to-day.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman indicated Wednesday that Henry Rodriguez will have an increased role in the bullpen moving forward.

"To cut to the chase, I've got a guy throwing 100 miles an hour down there," said Riggleman. "If I can pitch him in the eighth inning, he's going to pitch. They're going to have to beat him instead of my left-hander. [Right-handed batters], they're going to thank me for not bringing Rodriguez in." Rodriguez has earned a more prominent role by posting a 2.53 ERA and 16 strikeouts over his first 10 2/3 innings. The young fireballer will likely set-up along with Tyler Clippard while Sean Burnett will be mixed in against left-handed batters.

Nationals activated RHP Henry Rodriguez from the 15-day disabled list.

Rodriguez was placed on the disabled list just prior to Opening Day. Now healthy, he will bring his high velocity fastball to the middle of the Nationals' bullpen.