Ross was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ross has failed to escape the fifth inning in his last two starts and owns a 7.47 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 15.2 frames on the season, but it's still somewhat surprising that the Nationals dropped him from the rotation. The Nationals will need to fill Ross' next scheduled start Saturday against the Phillies, but the team hasn't offered any indication who will replace him in the rotation. Jacob Turner, who performed admirably in a spot start at Coors Field last week when Stephen Strasburg was on the paternity list, could be a candidate to rejoin the starting ranks after recently moving to the bullpen.