The Washington Nationals’ battle for the fifth pitcher in the starting rotation got shorter Thursday. The team optioned Erick Fedde to Triple-A affiliate Fresno, leaving Austin Voth and Joe Ross remaining for the fifth starter spot.
The decision is not surprising considering how sprint training had unfolded before the stoppage. Plus, Fedde had options remaining and neither Ross nor Voth had any left.
Meanwhile, one will win the starter role and the other will presumably slot in as the long reliever. Fedde may still have a chance, especially if/when MLB decides on a modified schedule that could feature doubleheaders following the coronavirus pandemic.
Nonetheless, it’s a two-man race to pitch behind Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and Anibal Sanchez.
Ross, 27, posted a 2.45 ERA with 1.09 WHIP in 7 1/3 innings. However, his 3-to-4 strikeout-to-walks ratio is alarming in a short sample size.
Voth, 28, has been better, posting a 1.29 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP in seven inning pitched. He also has six strikeouts against one walk.
Voth has continued his momentum from last year in which he had a strong eight start in the regular season as the Nationals.
Last year, Ross, in his first full season since his Tommy John surgery, struggled mightily as a reliever. He had an 11.17 ERA in 18 relief appearances with batters hitting .360 with a 1.067 OPS. However, he was the total opposite as a starter. In nine starts, he had an ERA 3.02 ERA. Batters hit .256 with a .705 OPS.
Ross appears more suited as a starter and that could play a factor in manager Dave Martinez’s decision.
