RHP Jonathan Papelbon is expected to move into a set-up role when RHP Mark Melancon joins the Nationals after having been acquired in a trade Saturday. Papelbon has recorded 26 saves in 31 opportunities since joining the Nationals last July 29. He has 19 saves this season.

RHP Jonathan Papelbon gave up three runs, two earned, in the ninth inning, turning a 6-4 Nationals lead into a 7-6 Nationals loss. In his last two appearances, which have come in the Nationals' last two games, both ninth inning losses, Papelbon has pitched 2/3 of an inning and given up seven runs, six earned, six hits and three walks. Asked how he thinks Papelbon looks, Manager Dusty Baker said, "Right now he doesn't look like Pap. He doesn't look very good."

RHP Jonathan Papelbon was tagged with the loss as he gave up four runs in the top of the ninth. It was the third day in a row he was used. There are reports the Nationals may try and trade for Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman. "They're all bad (losses). Fortunately, we have an off day tomorrow. We've had to go deep in the game with our bullpen," Washington manager Dusty Baker said. "I don't like to use my closer three days in a row, and this was three days in a row for Papelbon. The ball wasn't coming out the way that it had been since coming back from the injury" on July 4. The right-hander gave up an RBI single to Yangervis Solarte and a three-run double to Alexei Ramirez. "I think it was just location," Papelbon said. "Coming in there with a situation where we have to preserve everything we can. I was one pitch away from getting out of that, but it all came down to a missed location against Solarte."

RHP Jonathan Papelbon came off the disabled list Monday and threw a scoreless top of the ninth against Milwaukee. "Papelbon looked pretty good. I mean, he looked real good," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. "He didn't throw a bunch of pitches. He was around the strike zone. So he gets our bullpen back in sync."

RHP Jonathan Papelbon (right intercostal strain) made a minor league rehab appearance Saturday for Double-A Harrisburg at Reading, a farm team of his former Philadelphia team. He threw a scoreless inning and did not give up a run or hit. "I heard he's pretty sharp. I hope Papelbon comes out of tonight well, then we'll make a decision," Washington manager Dusty Baker said before Saturday's outing. He went on the DL June 14.

RHP Jonathan Papelbon (right intercostal strain) began a minor league rehab assignment on Monday at Class A Potomac of the Carolina League in Woodbridge, Va., and he pitched a scoreless inning -- the first. Woodbridge is about 30 miles south of Washington, which allowed Papelbon to be in the Nationals dugout in uniform by the time the game ended late Monday.

RHP Jonathan Papelbon threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Saturday in Milwaukee and could begin a minor league rehab assignment as early as Monday, manager Dusty Baker said. Papelbon hasn't pitched since suffering a right intercostal strain while warming up at Philadelphia on June 12. It's the first time Papelbon has been on the disabled list in his 12-year career.

RHP Jonathan Papelbon (right intercostal strain) went on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and RHP Matt Belisle was put on the active roster after he made nine appearances on a minor league rehab assignment. "I'm in the best hands I can be in. I think we'll have a good game plan. I'm pretty comfortable that I'll be able to come back stronger," Papelbon said. He is 1-2 with a 3.28 ERA with 16 saves this season. "He hurt himself two days ago coming into the game," Washington manager Dusty Baker said of his Sunday outing. "Pap is a guy who has a high tolerance for pain."

Washington Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an intercostal strain on Tuesday.The move was made retroactive to Monday.The Nationals activated fellow right-hander Matt Belisle from the disabled list to replace Papelbon, who has posted a 1-2 mark with a 3.28 ERA this season. The 35-year-old Papelbon has converted 16-of-18 save opportunities in 2016.Sidelined with a right calf strain since April 26, the 36-year-old Belisle has amassed a 1.50 ERA without recording a decision in seven appearances this season.

RHP Jonathan Papelbon blew another save Sunday against the Philadelphia but got the win as the Nationals scored two in the ninth. He was not available to pitch Monday in a 4-1 win as Shawn Kelley got the save by getting five outs. "He was sore," manager Dusty Baker said of Papelbon. Baker did not elaborate but said Papelbon will be evaluated Tuesday. He is 1-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 25 games, with 16 saves. "He hung a slider," Baker said of the homer on Sunday by Maikel Franco in the ninth.

RHP Jonathan Papelbon earned his 14th save in 16 chances Monday night against Philadelphia, his former team. He blew one earlier this season against the Phillies, and two others later last year, after being traded from the Phils to the Nats. "Last time we came in here, Pap had an unfortunate outing, and we were like, it couldn't happen again," manager Dusty Baker said. "But Pap, he may bend but he doesn't break."

RHP Jonathan Papelbon got the last two outs in the ninth for his 10th save of the year. He is now 10th all-time with 359 saves. "Pap is a team player," manager Dusty Baker said of him not starting the ninth.

RHP Jonathan Papelbon allowed five hits for just the fourth time in his career, and the first time since Sept. 21, 2010. It was the 18th time he's allowed at least three runs. "I didn't execute some pitches," he said. "Man, that's what it boils down to, execution." It was the first time the Nationals have lost when leading after eight innings since Sept. 5, 2014.

RHP Jonathan Papelbon threw a perfect ninth inning Monday to close out the Nationals' 2-0 win at Kansas City. He improved to 9-for-10 in save opportunities this season by coverting his fourth chance in a row.

RHP Jonathan Papelbon has struggled against his former team, the Phillies. In four games against the Phillies heading into Monday's action, he has a 12.27 ERA with two blown saves. In his first 24 games against the rest of the majors as a member of the Nationals, he has a 2.10 ERA and 12 saves in 13 chances.

RHP Jonathan Papelbon squandered a save opportunity for the first time this year, allowing the Phillies to rally for a 3-2, 10-inning win Sunday. "Your job is to go out there and preserve the win. When you don't do your job, you gotta learn how to turn the page and move on," he said. "I've blown plenty of these in the past. I know how to handle them. I'll move on and come ready to work and get another save tomorrow. That's just pretty much how it works: Keep the line moving."

RHP Jonathan Papelbon has a save in his first four tries, getting another one Monday against the Atlanta Braves as he pitched for the second night in a row for the first time this year. "That's a tough job. Everybody can't close," Baker said. "You have to have a special mentality."

Closer Jonathan Papelbon apologized Friday to the Washington Nationals for the incident last September in which he choked outfielder Bryce Harper in the dugout for not hustling enough, but the team had to save the veteran pitcher from a fashion failure.Papelbon was planning to send a message of another kind Friday.According to the Washington Post, Papelbon was encouraged to change out of a cut-off T-shirt with arrows pointing to his biceps the words "Obama Can't Ban These Guns" across the front.Papelbon was suspended the final four games of the 2015 season for the encounter. The volatile reliever, whose sharp tongue caused friction in previous professional stops with the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies, did take responsibility for the problem with Harper."I was in the wrong," he said. "Should have never went down that way, and I understand that. ... I've had three months to think about it."

RHP Jonathan Papelbon filed a grievance against the Nationals on Monday for failing to pay his salary during a four-game team suspension.The Nationals suspended Papelbon, 34, without pay for a Sept. 28 dugout incident in which he choked his teammate, National League MVP Bryce Harper. The altercation occurred in the bottom of the eighth inning of the series finale against the Phillies at Nationals Park after the Nationals were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

Papelbon has dropped his appeal of a three-game suspension from the MLB and has been suspended four games by the Nationals, effectively ending his 2015 season.

Papelbon will finish the 2015 season having converted just 24 saves between the Nationals and Phillies, compiling a 2.13 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 56 strikeouts over 63.1 innings. He remains under contract through 2016, so he should be back as the club's closer again next season. In the meantime, Casey Janssen appears the likely candidate to close out games when a save opportunity presents itself.