WASHINGTON -- Max Scherzer feels like he’s ready to pitch in a big league game again.

He made as much clear in the Nationals' dugout prior to Wednesday’s series finale against the Reds, after he felt good enough to play catch without issue in the outfield just one day removed from tossing a two-inning simulated game at Nationals Park. Throughout the recovery process of his lingering back issue, it’s been the day after throwing where Scherzer typically feels the discomfort return. So, after arriving Wednesday without an issue, Scherzer believes he’s ready to be activated from the injured list.

“I want to pitch in the big leagues,” Scherzer said. “I think I'm ready to pitch in the big leagues.”

The question remains just how quickly the Nationals will be willing to allow him to do so.

Washington has its starting pitcher for both Saturday and Sunday’s games against the Brewers listed as TBA, which opens up the possibility that Scherzer could return as soon as this weekend. Manager Dave Martinez did not rule that possibility out; however, he was far less willing to commit to a plan than Scherzer.

Martinez planned to meet with Scherzer and Paul Lessard, the team’s head athletic trainer, to determine the next steps for the Nationals ace. After throwing a bullpen session last weekend in New York and the simulated game Tuesday, Scherzer did not believe he needs another bullpen session before he makes his next start. While he believes he has cleared his last hurdle, Martinez reiterated the need to remain patient and ensure Scherzer is back to full strength.

“Now I want to make sure that we’re cautious,” Martinez said. “He’s gone through all the proper rehab. … I mean they’ve been really, really checking all the boxes with him right now. We’ll see. He’s very excited this morning.”

The injuries to Scherzer’s upper back and shoulder area have lingered for more than a month, limiting him to just one start (a five-inning, 86-pitch outing against the Rockies on July 25), but two separate stints on the injured list since July 6 -- first for inflammation of the bursa sac, and now for a strained rhomboid muscle. If Scherzer returns without the benefit of a Minor League rehab assignment or another outing to help build his pitch count, he will take the mound with some sort of an abbreviated pitch count.

On Tuesday, Scherzer threw about 63 total pitches between tossing in the bullpen and during his simulated two innings. He felt good after the outing, but he wanted to wait a day to ensure his back did not flare up again.

“That's been the biggest challenge in all of this,” he said. “That's why it's been so tricky. It hasn't been the day that I've actually pitched, because when I've taken the mound, I'm going at full tilt with normal velocity. It's the day after that's really been the tricky thing in all of this. That's why I've been scratching my head, left and right, trying to figure this thing out.”

So, the Nats will have to determine whether they want Scherzer to clear another hurdle. They have Anibal Sanchez and Erick Fedde lined up to pitch this weekend on normal rest, and with the recent success of Fedde and Joe Ross filling in in the rotation, perhaps the Nats will not feel the need to rush Scherzer back.

Martinez made it clear the Nationals will have the final decision, but Scherzer believes he’s ready.

“I want to pitch. I'm itching to get out there,” Scherzer said. “So whenever they'll let me.”