Joe Ross won’t start another game for the Nationals this season, but he’ll still get opportunities to pitch out of the bullpen over the next four weeks while Tanner Roark takes his spot in the rotation.
Sensing their rookie right-hander was showing signs of fatigue as his innings count built up beyond levels from his previous seasons in the minors, the Nationals decided to pull him from their rotation now. Ross won’t be shut down completely, though, with team officials confident he can make occasional, brief appearances out of the bullpen the rest of the month.
“He’s at a point now that he’s never been to,” manager Matt Williams said.