WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals optioned Joe Ross to Syracuse on Tuesday after the right-hander struggled in three straight starts.
Washington filled the roster spot by recalling righty A.J. Cole from the Triple-A team.
Ross gave up 15 runs and 20 hits in 15 2/3 innings since his recall from the minors on April 19. He yielded five runs and seven hits over four innings to the New York Mets on Sunday.
"Joe wasn't Joe. That was it in a nutshell," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. "His usually hard sinker wasn't sinking, and his usually sharp slider wasn't sliding.