Gonzalez allowed one hit and one walk in three shutout innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

He was originally only set to throw two innings, but was so efficient he needed a third frame to get all his work in. Gonzalez has never been known as an efficient pitcher, but he did manage to get his BB/9 below 3.00 for the first time in his career in 2016, albeit barely at 2.99.

Gonzalez struck out one in a shutout inning of work during Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

A Trea Turner throwing error allowed Jose Reyes to reach base to kick off the inning, but Gonzalez calmly retired the next three batters he saw, including a strikeout of Curtis Granderson. The veteran lefty heads into 2017 with a rotation spot locked up for the Nats, and will look to improve on last season's 4.57 ERA.

Gonzalez will get the start in the Nationals' spring training opener Saturday against the Mets, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old left-hander is looking to bounce back in 2017 after posting a 4.57 ERA last year, his worst performance since becoming a full-time starter for the A's in 2010. Gonzalez will be restricted to one inning or 25 pitches in his first outing of the spring.

The Nationals picked up Gonzalez's $12 million option for 2017 on Thursday, The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thanks to an inflated 0.96 HR/9, his 4.57 ERA in 2016 was his highest since he became a full-time starter in the majors, but Gonzalez won at least 10 games for the seventh straight season and his 8.68 K/9 and 2.99 BB/9 were right in line with his career norms. More worryingly, the 31-year-old lefty's average fastball velocity dropped to 90.8 mph, more than a full mile per hour lower than 2015, but $12 million is still a relative bargain in today's marketplace for a pitcher who can consistently make 30-plus starts a year.

The Nationals are likely to pick up Gonzalez's $12 million option for the 2017 season, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

A $12 million vesting option in Gonzalez's contract would also kick in for 2018 if he throws 180 innings next season, which he hasn't done since the 2013 season. Gonzalez took a large step backward last season, with a 4.57 ERA representing his worst mark since 2009, but he remains a durable left-handed starter and that could easily be seen as a value worth $12 million. The Nationals already have Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg locked up until 2021 and a glut of young starters headlined by Lucas Giolito and Joe Ross, so Gonzalez's continued presence would mean one less spot for a pitcher like Reynaldo Lopez or A.J. Cole.

Gonzalez will start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Monday, Dan Kolko of MASN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez didn't last more than five innings in any of his final three starts of the regular season -- conceding at least three runs in each -- but with no Stephen Strasburg (elbow), the lefty will be called upon for a start in the NLDS. He'll line up against Dodger starter Kenta Maeda on Monday.

Gonzalez (11-11) lasted just 3.2 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits in a rain-shortened loss to the Diamondbacks. He also struck out four and walked three.

EDGE Analysis

With Stephen Strasburg out and Joe Ross still being stretched out, Washington is counting on Gonzalez for the postseason, and he is failing to deliver. He hasn't lasted longer than five innings in any of his recent three starts, and Washington has lost all three games. He finishes the regular season with a 4.57 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 171 strikeouts in 177.1 innings.

Gonzalez didn't factor into the decision against the Pirates on Friday, giving up three earned runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw wasn't his sharpest and got into some early trouble by giving up an RBI double to Ryan Zimmerman and a two-run shot to Danny Espinosa that plated the former in the second inning. Gonzalez has now gone five innings or less in three of his last four starts, with his only strong effort over that span coming against a Phillies squad that's been hopeless against lefties all season. The 31-year-old will look to wrap up the regular season with his 12th win when he takes on the D-backs next Wednesday.

Gonzalez (11-10) gave up six earned runs on nine hits over 4.1 innings in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Braves. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Despite displaying solid control and inducing 11 swinging strikes, Gonzalez was still touched up by the Braves for six earned runs for the second time in the last three starts. Gonzalez does have quality starts in his three other outings over his last five trips to the mound, but two of those efforts have notably come against an anemic Philies offense. Gonzalez saw a five-decision winning streak snapped with Saturday's loss, but does have double-digit victories for seven straight seasons.

Gonzalez (11-9) allowed just one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out five in Sunday's win over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

His only real mistake resulted in a Tommy Joseph solo shot, Gonzalez rebounded nicely from Tuesday's dud against the Braves and has now turned in a quality start in three of his last four outings. He'll get another crack at the Braves on Saturday in Atlanta.