Nationals activate Max Scherzer, add Kyle Finnegan to IL

Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer is back, but a different member of the pitching staff went on the injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Per an ESPN piece, Washington activated Scherzer from the IL to have him start for Tuesday's matchup versus Philadelphia. In a corresponding roster move, however, the Nationals placed relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan on the 10-day IL retroactive to Monday with a left hamstring strain. 

Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, left a June 11 start against the San Francisco Giants after throwing only 12 pitches because of a groin injury. The 36-year-old hasn't started since but was a potential trade target ahead of his return to the bump. That, however, was before the Nationals won eight of 10 contests to improve to 33-36 on the season. They trail the first-place New York Mets in the National League East standings by five games. 

Scherzer, meanwhile, is 5-4 on the campaign with a 2.21 ERA.