McGowin allowed five runs on six hits with two strikeouts and one walk across four innings in a no-decision against the Marlins on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old lasted a little longer into his second career major league start, but the stat line wasn't much better. In two career starts, he's allowed a run per inning and opposing hitters have batted .310. He also has a 1.57 WHIP and five strikeouts in seven innings. As long as Anibal Sanchez (hamstring) returns as expected next week, McGowin won't remain in the Nationals rotation.

McGowin has been confirmed as Friday's starter against the Marlins, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anibal Sanchez (hamstring) and Jeremy Hellickson (shoulder) are both on the 10-day injured list, so the Nationals had to dip into their organizational pitching depth. Fortunately, Sanchez is expected to return to the rotation next week, so this should just be a one-time spot start for McGowin. He has a 4.32 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 50:12 K:BB in 41.2 innings (eight starts) this year at Triple-A. It is an appealing matchup on paper, but McGowin is 27 years old and has only made one career start in the majors for a reason.

McGowin was called up from Triple-A Fresno on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

McGowin makes his first trip to the majors this season after appearing in five games in 2018 and giving up five runs over 7.2 innings. The 27-year-old had a 4.32 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 50:12 K:BB through eight starts with Fresno.

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

EDGE Analysis

McGowin made his big-league debut as a September call-up in 2018, posting a 5.87 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 7.2 innings of work. He'll return to the minors to begin the 2019 campaign, though he should find himself back in the majors when additional pitching is needed.

McGowin was removed from Wednesday's spot start against the Marlins due to a blister, Jamal Collier of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

McGowin fared extremely well during the first start -- and fourth appearance -- in the majors, exiting with four strikeouts and just four baserunners allowed in four innings. The right-hander retired his first 11 batters but was beginning to labor at the time of this issue in the fifth frame. With only a few games left on the schedule, this will most likely be McGowin's final appearance in the 2018 season.

McGowin will start Wednesday against the Marlins, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

McGowin will step into the rotation for a spot start in place of Tanner Roark, who is away from the Nationals to be with his wife and newborn child. The right-hander has appeared strictly out of the bullpen since joining the big club at the start of September, so he likely won't toss more than one or two innings before exiting. While McGowin has struggled during his time with the Nationals (allowing two runs on two homers through 2.2 innings of relief), he posted a 1.20 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 94:19 K:BB through eight starts with Triple-A Syracuse prior to earning a promotion.

McGowin was promoted from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

While the 26-year-old righty didn't enter 2018 with much fanfare, he had a career year in the minors, most notably logging a 1.20 ERA and 0.66 WHIP with 44 punchouts in 52.2 innings (eight starts) at Triple-A. Assuming he gets into a game this month, it will represent the journeyman's big-league debut. He could get a spot start or two, but will likely be used primarily out of the bullpen.