Joe Ross to Remain in Nationals Starting Rotation, If Healthy

Joe Ross remains sore where a comebacker struck him in his right leg. X-rays were negative Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports.

Ross will receive treatment, but manager Davey Martinez says the right-hand pitcher is still schedule to make his next start — Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, if he healthy.

Ross has been vying to remain in the Nationals’ starting rotation, posting a 0.50 ERA in three straight starts before he had to leave Monday’s start in Pittsburgh. Ross was well on his way to a fourth-straight win, as he was given an 11-0 lead through four frames.

Erick Fedde has been told to prepare for a start in case Ross is unable to pitch.

Joe Ross’ right leg was still bandaged today and he’s walking with a slight limp. Davey Martinez said for now he’s still scheduled to make his next start. Erick Fedde, who it appears will lose his rotation spot to Max Scherzer, has been told to prepare in case Ross can’t start.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) August 20, 2019

Martinez’s wording is significant. Nationals’ ace Max Scherzer will return from his second 10-day injured list stint with a back injury. Ross and Fedde had been in the rotation for the past couple of weeks. One will have to lose their spot in the rotation with Scherzer’s return.

Fedde had also made a compelling case to remain in the rotation. He too has won his last three starting. However, he was roughed up for four earned runs and 10 hits in his last start Sunday against Milwaukee. Fedde’s numbers have supported a typical fifth starter, but Ross has been on a tear.

“Right now, we told him he has to be ready, just in case Joe can’t pitch,” Martinez said, according to Zuckerman. “We haven’t decided yet what we’re going to do with Fedde, because he’s pitched well. We’ll come to a decision here in the next couple days.”

Ross’s brilliance on the mound as a starter has reminded the Nationals and fans how good he was before he had to undergo Tommy John surgery in June of 2017. He held a scoreless streak that lasted 17 1/3 innings. He has a 1.35 ERA in his five starts (3-1) this season, a far cry from his work in bullpen that had his ERA balloon to 11.05 at one point in the season.

Hopefully, Ross will be healthy enough to take the mound Saturday and there will be no lingering issues to halt his momentum. Washington has been searching all season for a reliable fifth starter behind Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, and Anibal Sanchez. All indications point to them may have finding one in Joe Ross.