Washington Nationals News: Nats will discuss shutting down Joe Ross
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post discusses the impending decision the Nationals have to make regarding rookie starter Joe Ross. As Janes writes, the Nationals have been saying all season that the right-hander is on an unspecified innings limit in his first big league season. After 149 2/3 innings of work this season, it looks like Ross might have finally reached that limit.
As Janes writes in her article, manager Matt Williams said after today’s game that the team will discuss shutting Ross down now after the right-hander showed some fatigue in today’s start. Ross lost velocity on his fastball and only lasted 4 1/3 innings. In his previous start, Ross lasted just 2 2/3 and struggled mightily with his command.
While the Nationals still have a a few weeks of baseball to play this season, it looks like Ross’ season may very well be over. If that’s the case, his rookie campaign is certainly one to remember.
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Ross, whom the Nationals acquired in the offseason, wasn’t supposed to pitch in the big leagues this season. Thanks to injuries, however, Ross earned an early season call-up and pitched better than anybody could’ve anticipated.
In 13 starts this season, Ross went 5-5 with a 3.70 ERA in 73 2/3 innings. The right-hander allowed three runs or fewer in 10 of his 13 starts and was rewarded for his success with a permanent spot in the rotation.
Given Ross’ success in his rookie season, it’ll be interesting to see him as a fully entrenched big league starter in 2016 and beyond.
Also in today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson discusses Jayson Werth‘s continued success out of the lead off spot.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Matt Williams says Nationals will discuss shutting down Joe Ross now
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
Matt Williams admitted that Joe Ross showed signs of fatigue Sunday. The Nationals manager saw his rookie’s fastball dip to 90 miles per hour midway through his outing, “a sign of fatigue.” He acknowledged that the Nationals, who have said all along Ross would be on an unspecified innings limit, will have to consider shutting him down after 149 2/3 innings — 28 more than he has thrown in any professional season.
“That’s a big discussion for us,” Williams said after Sunday’s game. “Again, we have to understand where he’s at. The territory he’s in. What options we have going forward. We’ll make decisions. We have a few days to make those, certainly. We’ll move forward on those when we can.” Read full article here.
Move to leadoff has benefited Werth, Nats
WASHINGTON — After Denard Span injured his back and was placed on the disabled list in July, Nationals manager Matt Williams found himself using several leadoff hitters, from Michael Taylor to Anthony Rendon to Yunel Escobar. The results were mixed.
Now it looks like Williams has found his leadoff hitter for the rest of the season in outfielder Jayson Werth. In his 17 games in the leadoff spot, Werth is 23-for-71 with four home runs, 11 RBIs and 16 runs scored. Three of those RBIs came when he hit a three-run homer in an 8-4 victory over the Braves on Sunday afternoon. Read full article here.
Next: Nats Complete Sweep Of Braves Behind 5-Run 2nd Inning