Drew Storen is back on the mound following elbow surgery - MLB

The Nationals have relied on Tyler Clippard as their primary closer in recent days, but he could return to his familiar set-up role before long.

According to Amanda Comak of the Washington Times, Drew Storen recently began throwing off a mound following April surgery to remove a bone chip from his right elbow. He threw for the first time on Friday and again today.

While Nationals manager Davey Johnson sensed that Storen was a little disappointed by the results today, he also said that the 24-year-old right-hander “had no problems after throwing” and is “right on track.” We should getting a better sense of his timeline in the next week or two, but he currently hopes to rejoin the Nationals’ bullpen around the All-Star break.

Storen, who was selected 10th overall in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, owns a 3.10 ERA over his first 127 relief appearances in the big leagues.

LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, and Tommy Kahnle were activated by the New York Yankees ahead of their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots after a 1-0 loss at Seattle, optioning infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Aaron Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.

New York is missing centerfielder Harrison Bader, who strained his right hamstring against the Mariners and went on the injured list the next day.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, sidelined since spring training by a sore left forearm and an ailing back, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.