Ross will start Friday against the Cubs, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ross has been sidelined all season while recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in July of 2017, but he's finally been cleared to rejoin the starting rotation after completing a six-game rehab minor-league assignment during which he posted a 2.39 ERA and 19:8 K:BB across 26.1 innings. He fired 89 pitches in his final rehab start, so Ross shouldn't be on too strict of a pitch count in his 2018 debut, though the Nationals figure to handle him with care down the stretch. Ross owns a 3.95 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 230:70 K:BB across 255.1 career innings in the majors, so he could provide value over the final month of the season. The right-hander will take the rotation spot of Jefry Rodriguez, who will shift to the bullpen.

Ross (elbow) was activated from the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

We knew this move was coming, but the mystery surrounds if and when Ross will join the big-league rotation over the final month. Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reported Monday that manager Davey Martinez said Ross could start for the Nationals "soon". The talented righty threw 89 pitches in a rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Syracuse, so he could be ready to start for the Nationals as soon as Thursday against the Cubs -- a date where Washington's starter is listed as TBD, as of Tuesday afternoon. He has a 3.95 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 230 strikeouts in 255.1 MLB innings and could provide value in many formats if he does indeed slot back into the rotation over the final four weeks.

Ross (elbow) will bee activated from the 60-day disabled list Tuesday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ross has been working his way back from Tommy John surgery he underwent in July of 2017. He's set to rejoin the Nationals after completing a six-game minor-league rehab assignment, posting a 2.39 ERA and 19:8 K:BB in 26.1 innings over those appearances. He threw 89 pitches in his final appearances, and manager Davey Martinez said the right-hander could rejoin the rotation soon, though he didn't specify when.

Ross (elbow) gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk over six innings Monday in his rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse.

EDGE Analysis

Though Ross exhibited good control while pumping in 53 of his 76 pitches for strikes, he struggled to generate swings and misses and finished with no punchouts on the night. Now five starts into his rehab assignment after a year-long shutdown due to Tommy John surgery, Ross looks to be on the cusp of a return to the big club, but the Nationals have yet to announce how they plan to use the 25-year-old in September. The fact that Ross has built up to a starter's workload during the rehab assignment suggests he'll at least be an option for the rotation, though the Nationals may prefer not to overwork him so soon after returning from a major arm operation.

Ross (elbow) is scheduled to make his fourth rehab start at Double-A Harrisburg on Wednesday, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ross was initially slated to take the hill Tuesday for Harrisburg on his normal four days' rest, but he ended up getting pushed back a day due to a rainout. The right-hander, now approximately 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery, looked dominant during his first three outings at lower-level affiliates, tossing 9.2 scoreless innings and striking out nine. He could be ready to rejoin the Nationals at some point in September, though it's uncertain if he would slot into the rotation or settle into a bullpen role.

Ross (elbow) will take the mound with High-A Potomac on Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

This will mark Ross's third rehab start as he continues to work back from Tommy John surgery. He recently tossed a pair of three-inning outings with the club's rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate and is expected to require a few more appearances in the minors before returning to Washington.

Ross (elbow) began a rehab assignment with the Nationals' rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate Monday, tossing three no-hit innings and striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

A pair of walks were the only blemishes on Ross' ledger as he made his return to affiliated ball for the first time since July 9, 2017. Now nearly 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery, Ross has reached the final phase of his recovery process and appears on track to join the Nationals at some point later this season, most likely when rosters expand in September. The three-inning workload he received in his first rehab outing suggests Washington is likely building him up for a starting role, though there may not necessarily be a rotation spot waiting for Ross once he's activated from the 60-day disabled list.

Ross (elbow) threw 25 pitches in a simulated game Friday for the Nationals' coaching staff, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports. "Wherever I can fit in, especially in September hopefully with extended rosters, as long as I can hopefully get out there and throw some innings, I'll be happy," Ross said about his chances of contributing this season. "That's really what I'm working toward."

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery almost one year ago, but so far he's been limited to workouts at the Nats' spring training complex. There's been no indication yet that Ross is ready to begin a rehab assignment, but he still has enough time to work his way back into game shape and rejoin the big-league roster for the stretch run, even if he only ends up pitching out of the bullpen. Expect the 25-year-old to be in the hunt for a rotation spot during spring training next year.

Ross (elbow) said Wednesday that he has resumed throwing off a mound and is close to facing hitters, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Now at the 11-month mark in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Ross seems to be progressing as anticipated. He'll likely require several more weeks to build up the intensity of his bullpen sessions and the frequency with which he faces hitters before the Nationals send him out on a minor-league rehab assignment. There's a slight chance he could rejoin the Nationals late in the second half if he endures no setbacks, but the team would most likely deploy him in relief in that scenario.

Ross (elbow) has started throwing and might participate in a bullpen session in the coming week, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2017 and probably will need at least another month of workouts before seeing game action merely in a rehab capacity. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if Washington adds him to the major-league staff this season if he responds well to these tests. Whatever role Washington is comfortable assigning him will determine whether fantasy players can scrape value out of him in 2018. He's more of a 2019 play, so forward-looking keeper and dynasty managers could tuck him away.