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Matt Williams on Nationals' Starter Doug Fister Throwing on Flat Ground

"Threw fine. He feels good," Matt Williams told reporters after learning that a flat ground throwing session for Washington Nationals' starter Doug Fister went well. Fister was diagnosed with inflammation in his right elbow after his first start of the spring on March 2nd.

By Patrick Reddington
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Though Doug Fister threw on flat ground today, manager Matt Williams didn't have a report when he met with the press before the Washington Nationals' game with the New York Yankees this afternoon in Viera, Florida's Space Coast Stadium.

Washington Post writer spoke to pitching coach Steve McCatty about the throwing session:

Williams was asked about Fister again after the Nationals' 3-2 win over the Yankees. The report he got?

"Good," he said. "Threw fine. He feels good. We'll progress him to the next step and eventually get him back on the mound and back in the game. But yeah, he felt good today."

"Getting him back, stretch him out a little more on the flat ground and get him in a bullpen, get him in a game." - Matt Williams on the plan for Doug Fister going forward

The plan going forward is to let the 30-year-old right-hander rest tomorrow and then have him throw again before getting back on a mound.

"I think [pitching coach Steve McCatty is] looking at giving him a day," Williams told reporters. "Getting him back, stretch him out a little more on the flat ground and get him in a bullpen, get him in a game. So, time frame? Not sure. Depends on how he reacts after the next one. I think we'll give him tomorrow then throw him on the next day. See how he is there... get him in a bullpen."

The first-year skipper was asked if he thought Fister would be able to make his first start of the season?

Jordan Zimmermann Throws Four Hitless Innings vs the Yankees

 Photo © Brad Barr/USA TODAY Sports

"I think that he'll be fine," Williams said. "He may not be able to get built up as much as the other guys, but nonetheless he'll be fine. He'll be fine to start if we need him to start if all goes to plan."

Fister's elbow was tight after his first outing for the Nationals on March 2nd. He was sent for an MRI which revealed inflammation in his pitching elbow.

"No structural issues, none of that." Williams said this weekend after the Nats had the results of the test. "So it's inflammation and we've just got to get it out."

By Monday, the Nationals' new starter felt good enough to start throwing again.

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