Matt Williams: Doug Fister could return to Nationals' rotation on May 7

Doug Fister is 44-50 with a 3.53 ERA in five big league seasons. (Getty Images)

Doug Fister, who was acquired by the Nationals in an offseason trade but has yet to make his season debut due to elbow inflammation, could pitch for Washington on May 7, manager Matt Williams said on Wednesday, according to Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post.

Williams said Fister will make one more rehab start on Friday and then, barring setback, will be in line to start for the Nationals on May 7 at home against the Dodgers. He allowed six runs (three earned) in four innings in his first rehab start on Sunday, with three strikeouts and no walks.

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The 30-year-old finished 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA in 33 games (32 starts) last season for the Tigers. After going 12-30 with a 3.81 ERA in two and a half seasons with Seattle, Fister was traded to Detroit, where he dominated at the end of 2011, finishing the year 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts).

Fister, who is 6-foot-8, has also pitched in the last three postseasons, notching a 3-2 record with a 2.98 ERA in eight games and seven starts.

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