46 Tommy Milone SP

Milone was reassigned to the Nationals' minor-league camp Saturday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Milone, who was attending camp as a non-roster invitee, wasn't a serious candidate for the final spot in the Nationals' rotation, which ultimately fell to A.J. Cole. The lefty will likely open the campaign with Triple-A Syracuse as a depth starter or long man out of the bullpen.

Milone allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over two innings while striking out two in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The runs were the first he'd given up this spring, and the veteran lefty now has a 9:3 K:BB through 10 innings this spring. Milone still remains a long shot to break camp with Washington, but his solid performance in camp could get him a look from a team in more dire need of rotation help, or an early-season callup if he sticks around in the Nats' organization to begin the season.

Milone (personal) is back with the team and scheduled to pitch in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

Milone spent the last few days away from the team following the birth of his child. The left-handing will try to earn a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster, but it seems more likely that he will begin the 2018 campaign at the Triple-A level while serving as organizational depth.

Milone left Nationals game and will be away from the team for the next few days following the birth of his child, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

After Milone takes some time to be with his expanding family, expect him to report back to spring training next week. Though the Nationals haven't settled on a No. 5 starter to open the season, the role is A.J. Cole's to lose and Milone doesn't seem to be a factor in the competition. Should he accept a minor-league assignment once camp concludes, Milone would likely serve as rotation depth for the Nationals at Triple-A Syracuse.

Milone (elbow) will take the bump for the club's Grapefruit League opener against Houston on Friday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet reports.

Milone dealt with elbow soreness over the final week of the 2017 season and was officially diagnosed with a bone spur in late September, though he appears to be fully healthy heading into this year. The 31-year-old split time between Milwaukee and the Mets last season, posting a 7.63 ERA and 1.63 WHIP over 48.1 innings. He will be competing to earn a roster spot this spring.