ATLANTA (AP) -- Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker expects Joe Ross to return from the 60-day disabled list Sunday and make his first start since July 2.
Baker will keep Ross on a pitch count, probably no more than three innings, when Washington closes a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves.
Ross has been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation. He went 7-4 with a 3.49 ERA in 16 starts before getting hurt.
With a magic number of six to clinch the NL East, Baker wants to use the last two weeks of the regular season to set up his rotation for the playoffs, but Ross' role is uncertain.