SAN DIEGO When Ryan Madson played catch Saturday, he had no idea if he would feel the pain in his right index finger again. There was no way of knowing without throwing a baseball, which he hadnt done since Monday. He and the Nationals were hopeful the idle time would generate some healing.

But Madson immediately realized it didnt get any better. The pain in the top knuckle of his right index remained, and a frustrated Madson stopped throwing.

It wasnt good, Madson said.

Madson was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with what was termed a sprained right finger. He first felt the pain when he played catch last Sunday. He thought nothing of it until he began warming up during the second game of Washingtons doubleheader against the Giants. The pain was there again and he didnt know why. He tried throwing again Monday and nothing changed.

The plan was originally for Madson to throw again on Friday, but the club decided to give him an extra day. The additional 24 hours didnt matter. Madson insisted there isnt any structural damage in the finger, which makes the issue a bit perplexing to him. Now Madson said he expects to take a more proactive approach in the fingers recovery, using machines to hasten the process.

Madson, 36, has been one of baseballs dominant relievers since the Nationals acquired him and Sean Doolittle from the Athletics a month ago. Along with Doolittle and Brandon Kintzler, who was acquired from the Twins on July 31, Madson has helped fuel the Nationals bullpens turnaround as the clubs eighth-inning reliever. Since joining Washington, Madson has posted 13 strikeouts and one walk across nine scoreless innings.

On Friday, Madson guessed he would miss around two weeks, but that was without knowing how his finger would fare the next day.The Nationals, of course, can afford to take their time with Madsons injury and all the others theyre dealing with. A 14-game division lead in late August provides that. The goal is to have the roster ready for October. But Madsons absence is still unsettling.

Theres never a good time, Madson said.

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Ryan Madson isn't seeing progress in his sprained finger - The ... - Washington Post