Mikolas is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Carson Palmquist during Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals will likely let the left-handed Palmquist cover the first inning or two, sparing the right-handed Mikolas from at least one matchup with left-handed hitters Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber (back), both of whom typically occupy top-three spots in the order. Working as a bulk reliever for his turns through the rotation is nothing new for Mikolas, who has started in just six of his 16 appearances so far this season. As a reliever, Mikolas has turned in a 4.04 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 8.8 K-BB% over 49 innings, with all of those ratios being markedly better than what he's provided as a starter.

Mikolas (2-6) took the loss Friday as the Nationals were downed 5-2 by the Rays, giving up five runs on nine hits and a walk over six innings of relief. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

A three-run homer by Jonathan Aranda in the third inning and a solo shot by Jonny DeLuca in the eighth bookended Mikolas' night as the bulk reliever and accounted for most of the damage off the right-hander. It's the second time in four June outings that he's been tagged for five or more runs, but Mikolas blanked the opposition over 11.2 innings in his other two appearances this month. The volatile veteran will take a 5.47 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 43:17 K:BB and 1.95 HR/9 through 74 innings into his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next week against the Phillies.

Manager Blake Butera said Mikolas is scheduled to pitch behind opener PJ Poulin against the Rays on Friday, Andrew Golden of TheBanner.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas was initially penciled in to pitch Saturday, but he'll be moved up to Friday after Cade Cavalli (illness) was scratched. Mikolas has fared much better when working in bulk relief this season, as he has a 3.56 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB across 43 innings out of the bullpen.

Mikolas (2-5) notched the win Sunday against the Mariners, allowing no runs on three hits and no walks in seven innings of relief. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

After beginning the season in the rotation, Mikolas has been far more effective behind an opener in 2026. The 37-year-old right-hander has an 8.28 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 19:1 K:BB over 25 frames as a starter, but he sports a 3.56 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB across 43 innings as a bulk reliever. Given his stark splits depending on how he's deployed, the Nationals figure to continue using Mikolas behind an opener during his next scheduled outing in Tampa Bay.

Mikolas is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher PJ Poulin in Sunday's game against the Mariners, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas will be making his sixth straight appearance as a bulk reliever, this time working behind Poulin after lefty Richard Lovelady served as the Nationals' opener in Mikolas' previous turn through the rotation Monday against the Giants. The veteran right-hander has gone 0-2 with a 4.32 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB in 25 innings over his last five outings.

Mikolas allowed three hits and no walks while striking out two over 4.2 scoreless innings of bulk relief Monday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Entering in the second inning following opener Richard Lovelady, Mikolas didn't miss many bats but kept the Giants' offense off the board before exiting after 54 pitches (41 strikes). It was a nice rebound outing after he surrendered six runs across six frames in his previous start against the Marlins, though the right-hander's season numbers remain quite poor. Mikolas will take a 1-5 record with a 5.90 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 61 innings (14 appearances) into his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Mariners.

Mikolas will not start Monday against the Giants but will follow opener Richard Lovelady, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas has followed an opener in each of his last four outings. That trend will continue Monday, with the southpaw Lovelady set to toss one or two innings before handing the keys over to Mikolas. The latter is looking to rebound from his last appearance against the Marlins this past Tuesday, when he allowed six runs on six hits (including three home runs) and two walks while striking out four across six innings. Mikolas has a 6.39 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB across 56.1 innings this season.

Mikolas (1-5) took the loss against the Marlins on Tuesday, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four across six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Richard Lovelady served as the Nationals' opener in Tuesday's game, tossing two scoreless innings before turning the keys to Mikolas in the third. Mikolas also kept Miami off the board over his first two frames but unravelled in the fifth, when he gave up four runs on three-straight homers. He pitched into the ninth inning with the Nationals down 4-3 but was tagged for two more runs in the frame, and his six earned runs were his most in a game since April 3 against the Dodgers (11). Mikolas sits at a 6.39 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB across 56.1 innings this season. His next start is lined up for next week on the road against the Giants.

Mikolas is not starting Tuesday against the Marlins but is likely to follow opener Richard Lovelady, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It'll be the seventh bulk-relief appearance of the season for Mikolas, who has a 3.91 ERA and 1.18 WHIP when working behind an opener this year compared to an 8.28 ERA as a tradition starter (six games). Even with the improved results, Mikolas doesn't have much fantasy appeal with a 13:4 K:BB across 25.1 innings when working in bulk relief.

Mikolas (1-4) took the loss Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on five hits over 3.2 relief innings as the Nationals were downed 3-2 by the Guardians. He struck out one without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Handling bulk-relief duties behind opener PJ Poulin, Mikolas put together one of his better performances of the season but was undone in part by a Curtis Mead error in the fifth inning. Mikolas was lifted after 60 pitches (39 strikes), and he's gone consecutive outings without being charged with an earned run. Over five appearances (two starts) in May, he's posted a 2.74 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB in 23 innings. Mikolas will look to stay on track in his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home early next week against the Marlins.