Joe Ross
P PHI
Mon 4/11/16 12:34 AM

Ross (1-0) held the Marlins to just one run on five hits and two walks over seven strong innings Sunday, striking out five, to pick up the win.
EDGE Analysis
Some poor weather delayed Ross' first start of the season, but he didn't let it phase him. There's been some early speculation that either he or Tanner Roark could lose their rotation spot if Lucas Giolito got off to a fast start in the minors this season, but if Ross keeps pitching like this he won't be going anywhere. His next start is schedule for Friday in Philadelphia.

Joe Ross
P PHI
Sat 4/9/16 12:39 PM

Ross will have his scheduled start pushed back to Sunday in light of Saturday's game being postponed, William Ladson of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The winter storm hitting Washington on Saturday led to Game 2 of the Nationals-Marlins series being rescheduled for a double-header in May. In terms of the rotation, manager Dusty Baker will simply push all of his starters back a day, meaning that Ross will make his first start of the season Sunday. On the other side, Tom Koehler will be on the bump for the Marlins on Sunday.

Joe Ross
P PHI
Sat 4/9/16 12:19 PM

Ross' scheduled start Saturday was postponed due to inclement weather, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Washington is experiencing a wintry mix of snow and sleet as of Saturday morning, and with a game scheduled for mid-afternoon, the Nationals and Marlins agreed to postpone their matchup. The Nationals have yet to announce whether they'll just push Ross' start back to Sunday or keep their rotation as is, with Max Scherzer taking the bump for the series finale.

Joe Ross
P PHI
Fri 4/1/16 3:03 PM

Ross will open the season on the 25-man roster, Dan Kolko of MASN reports.
EDGE Analysis
Even though the Nationals don't plan to use their fifth starter right away, they'll still keep both Ross and Tanner Roark on the roster and use them out of the bullpen to start. The first opportunity for Ross to start a game will come on April 13, the day the Nationals will need to use a fifth starter.

Joe Ross
P PHI
Mon 3/28/16 10:32 AM

Ross (foot) could have his first turn in the rotation skipped so Max Scherzer can pitch on his normal rest, The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nats manager Dusty Baker hasn't made an official decision yet, but given that Ross hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since being hit on the heel by a comebacker March 20, he may need a bit of extra time to prepare for the regular season anyway.

Joe Ross
P PHI
Mon 3/21/16 11:16 AM

Ross (foot) is on track to make his next spring start, MASN's Mark Zuckerman reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ross' status was left in question when he was struck on the foot by a line drive Sunday, but manager Dusty Baker confirmed Monday that Ross is only dealing with a minor setback. His preparation for the regular season should not be affected as long as he can take the ball next time he is scheduled.

Joe Ross
P PHI
Sun 3/20/16 2:36 PM

Ross suffered a right heel contusion in Sunday's spring game and will be reevaluated Monday, James Wagner of the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ross was asked about his injury following his early exit and seemed optimistic, so there is plenty of reason to believe his foot is not too badly bruised. The Nationals figure to release an update on his status after he is checked out Monday.

Joe Ross
P PHI
Fri 3/18/16 10:41 AM

Bronson Arroyo's torn rotator cuff ensures that Ross will begin the season in the Nationals' rotation, The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Arroyo was a long shot anyway, but his injury removes what little competition Ross and Tanner Roark had for the final two spots in the Nats' rotation. Ross has fought his control a little through the early part of spring training, posting an 8:4 K:BB ratio in 8.2 innings along with a 3.12 ERA and 1.85 WHIP, but after a strong rookie campaign which included a 2.47 BB/9 ratio, big things are expected from Ross in 2016.

Joe Ross
P PHI
Tue 3/8/16 9:51 AM

Ross has started incorporating a split-finger pitch that he learned from Jonathan Papelbon into his arsenal, the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Papelbon, in turned, learned the pitch from Curt Schilling, so it has a pretty good pedigree. Ross struggled at times with his changeup as a rookie, so using a splitter would give him another off-speed option and might be a better pitch for him in time, given that his large hands make the grip on the pitch easier for him. Ross is currently penciled into the back of the Nationals' Opening Day rotation.

Joe Ross
P PHI
Tue 12/1/15 10:55 AM

Ross is one of the top internal candidates to fill the two openings in the Nats' rotation in 2016, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ross and Tanner Roark would replace Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister in the rotation as things stand, although GM Mike Rizzo could still bring in another starter through trade or free agency, and a big spring from a prospect like Lucas Giolito could create a job battle. Ross had a successful major league debut last year, posting a 2.80 ERA and 47:4 K:BB ratio through his first seven big league starts (45 innings) before fading late.