Joe Ross: What you need to know about Nationals emergency starter

With Max Scherzer sidelined by neck spasms, the Washington Nationals have turned to Joe Ross to start Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday.

It will be just the second postseason start in the 26-year-old’s career.

Ross has spent his entire major league career with the Nationals. He was a San Diego Padres draft pick but was traded to Washington, along with Trea Turner, in a three-team deal in December 2014. Ross made his big-league debut the following season.

Ross was used as both a reliever and a starter in 2019. He started the regular season in a bullpen role, but enjoyed little success, sporting an 11.05 ERA through June 22.

But from July 21 through the end of the regular season, Ross was utilized in the No. 5 starter role and had his moments. He won three straight decisions at the beginning of August and held the Cleveland Indians to four hits and one earned run in a win Sept. 29.

He wasn’t on the 25-man roster for the wild card game, the divisional round or the championship series, but manager Dave Martinez picked him for the World Series roster.

Martinez said Sunday that he believes Ross can throw 75 to 80 pitches, after which he’ll turn to the bullpen.

Fellow Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg expressed confidence in Ross ahead of Game 5.

“Joe has kind of done a little bit of everything this year,” Strasburg said. “He’s such a great competitor. He’s such a great athlete. I trust his ability to prepare. I think that’s one thing that having some of the struggles early on in the year with him, he really took another step as far as like preparation, doing his homework, and you just take notice of those things. That’s his own journey.

“He knows I’m here for him but at the same time, you’ve just got to let him go out and do his thing.”