Washington Nationals: Joe Ross Done For The Season; Wont Need Surgery

A few days ago Joe Ross and the Nationals had received some devastating news. The 28-year-old had a partial tear in his UCL which might require surgery. Ross had already undergone Tommy John back in 2017, which made him miss the rest of that season and the majority of 2018.

After sitting out 2020 due to personal reasons, this was the year for Ross to finally get his career back on track. He started the season on fire, throwing 11 shutout innings before he finally allowed a run. Since then, Ross had slowly been working back to his 2016 form.

Yesterday, Davey Martinez told reporters that Ross met with Dr. Keith Meister. who oversaw his 2017 surgery and was told that he wouldn’t need to undergo a second TJ surgery. However, he will need extended time off and is done for the season.

This is bittersweet news for the Nationals righty who was in the midst of a promising comeback. In 108 innings, Ross was 5-9, with a 4.17 ERA, 109 strikeouts, and a 4.39 FIP. He set career highs in strikeouts (109), K/9 (9.3), games played (20), and innings pitched (108).

Joe Ross won’t need surgery but his season has come to an abrupt halt. What’s next for the Nationals starter?

Ross has one year left of arbitration and the goal is for him to be ready by next season. His absence will be felt as he was the team’s most consistent starter not named Max Scherzer. In the meantime, Sean Nolin has taken his place, recently called up from Triple-A.

Ross joins Stephen Strasburg as the second Nationals pitcher to undergo season-ending surgery. Injuries have plagued the once vaulted Nationals rotation all season long and were partly responsible for the team’s struggles and eventual decision to rebuild.

Now it will be up to Josiah Gray, Patrick Corbin, Paolo Espino, Erick Fedde, and Nolin to carry the rotation. Here’s hoping we will see Ross at Spring Training.