Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez, general manager Mike Rizzo and Juan Soto leaned against the turtle cage set up for batting practice, watching as Joe Ross wound up and fired home.
Back on the mound at Nationals Park for a simulated game Friday, Ross continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery in July 2017.
Martinez, in his first year leading Washington, has seen Ross at his best when Ross faced Martinez’s old team, the Chicago Cubs. He heard how tough his sliders and two-seam fastballs are to pick up for batters, because his old hitters told him.