When the Nationals placed Shawn Kelley on the 10-day disabled list on April 24 with what the club described as ulnar nerve irritation, a return did not seem imminent. Ulnar nerve irritation for a two-time Tommy John surgery recipient does not suggest a quick recovery. The diagnosis, made after Kelley walked off the mound at AT&T Park in San Francisco after spiking a slider several feet in front of home plate, was ominous.

But Kelley was back on a mound Sunday, just five days later, throwing a bullpen session. That went well, and he threw a second bullpen Tuesday. He was back on a bullpen mound at Nationals Park on Friday afternoon, logging a laborious 36-pitch session to simulate a game-like situation as best he could. He’ll take the next step Sunday, when he goes on rehab assignment to pitch for Class A Potomac. The plan, he said, is to travel with the Nationals to San Diego on Sunday night for their six-game road trip.

“I’ll be active some point in the day or two after that, I would assume,” said Kelley, who was eligible for activation today.

Manager Dave Martinez wasn’t as specific. He said the club will “reevaluate” Kelley after his outing Sunday. This DL stint is just the latest for Kelley, who has endured several setbacks since exiting Game 5 of the 2016 NLDS with elbow pain. The right-hander hasn’t been the same since; after posting a 2.64 ERA in 58 innings in 2016, Kelley’s ERA ballooned to 7.27 ERA in 26 innings last season. His home run rate was the highest among major league relievers.

The longball problem carried over to this season. So far, he has allowed three home runs in six innings, including a homer on the first pitch the night he got hurt. The 34-year-old believes the warmer weather should make things easier for him because getting loose is more difficult given his elbow history.

“Hopefully we’re done with the winter of April,” Kelley said.

Matt Grace also threw a bullpen Friday, his first since going on the disabled list with a left groin strain on April 21. The left-hander, who is also eligible to come off the disabled list, threw 25 pitches and reported it went well. Martinez later said Grace will likely throw another bullpen before going on a rehab assignment.

PHILLIES (17-13)
Cesar Hernandez 2B
Rhys Hoskins LF
Odubel Herrera CF
Aaron Altherr RF
Carlos Santana 1B
Maikel Franco 3B
Scott Kingery SS
Jorge Alfaro C
Nick Pivetta P

NATIONALS (16-16)
Bryce Harper RF
Trea Turner SS
Matt Adams LF
Ryan Zimmerman 1B
Howie Kendrick 2B
Matt Wieters C
Michael A. Taylor CF
Gio Gonzalez P
Wilmer Difo 3B

Read more baseball coverage: