The Nationals have reinstated right-hander Joe Ross from the 60-day disabled list and designated infielder Chris Bostick for assignment, per a team announcement.
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Ross will take the mound Sunday against the Braves in his first major league outing since July 2. Right shoulder inflammation kept the 23-year-old out for two-plus months, thereby shortening a promising season for Ross and giving the Nationals one fewer quality rotation option in the process.
Ross made 16 starts for the Nats before succumbing to injury and produced a 3.49 ERA, 7.46 K/9, 2.45 BB/9 and 44.1 percent ground-ball rate in 95 1/3 innings. Given that Ross didn’t exceed the 60-pitch mark in recent simulated games, Washington will ease him back into the mix and won’t use him for more than three innings Sunday, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com. Barring a collapse, the Nationals – who own a nine-game lead in the National League East – will make the playoffs, but it’s unclear what Ross’ role will be in October. Manager Dusty Baker could turn to Ross as a bullpen arm next month, per Ladson.
Bostick, whom the Nationals acquired from the Rangers two years ago in a deal involving left-hander Ross Detwiler, posted differing results at two minor league levels this season. The 23-year-old fared well with Double-A Harrisburg, where he hit .290/.355/.462 in 297 plate appearances. However, he batted just .203/.261/.297 in 242 PAs with Syracuse in his first Triple-A action.
