Ross optioned to Syracuse, Cole returns to major league staff

The Nationals have optioned Joe Ross to Triple-A Syracuse, a move that comes as a surprise but underscores the organization's concerns with how the right-hander has performed in limited action so far this season.

Ross was formally demoted Monday, but the club didn't announce the move until today. Right-hander A.J. Cole was recalled from Syracuse to fill the roster spot, though he will need to serve a three-game suspension before he's eligible to pitch.

The demotion comes in the wake of Ross' ragged start Sunday, in which he surrendered five earned run on seven hits in four innings and was pulled despite a modest pitch count of 76 and the fact the Nationals held a 10-5 lead over the Mets at the time.

"I don't know," manager Dusty Baker said after the game when asked about the quick hook of Ross. "Just some balls, sliders, were up in the zone and fastballs were in the middle of the plate. I don't know."

The Nationals had Ross open the season in Syracuse because they needed a fifth starter only once in early April. He made his 2017 debut April 19 in Atlanta and impressed with seven innings of three-run ball, building up his pitch count to 100.

But Ross has not looked sharp in two starts since. He allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings at Colorado and suffered from a noticeable drop in fastball velocity. The drop wasn't as prominent Sunday, but the results weren't any better.

The Nationals will need a fifth starter again on Saturday, and they are expected to turn to Jacob Turner, who impressed during a six-inning start in Colorado when Stephen Strasburg went on paternity leave and has remained in the club's bullpen since.

Cole, meanwhile, returns to the majors after posting a 6.63 ERA in four starts with Syracuse. The right-hander was part of the rotation down the stretch last season, but was suspended five games by Major League Baseball for intentionally throwing at the head of Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang in late September.

Cole initially appealed the ruling, then dropped the appeal in time to sit out the final two games of the regular season. The rest of the suspension carried over into this season, so he will not be eligible to pitch until Friday.