While the Nationals had the day off on Monday, one player was in action for the first time in over a year: starting pitcher Joe Ross.
INJURY UPDATE: Joe Ross pitched for the GCL Nationals today. Going to be a long rehab assignment, but glad to have him pitching again.His final line in the game:3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
— District on Deck (@DistrictOnDeck)
August 6, 2018 The Nats sent Ross to the Gulf Coast League Nationals on his first rehab assignment since undergoing Tommy John surgery last July. The right-hander struck out five in a scoreless, hitless three-inning start against the GCL Astros.
Before Monday, Ross hadn't pitched in a competitive game since July 9 of last year. The Nats originally placed Ross on the 10-day disabled list with a right elbow strain, but soon discovered he had a torn right ulnar collateral ligament.
Ross
underwent a successful Tommy John surgery on July 19, 2017, and is only just now returning to action. He still has a long way to go to get major league ready, but Ross has said he wants to return to the Nats before the end of the season.
"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
told The Washington Post's Chelsea Janes in July. "That’s really what I’m working toward."
