Ross says heel "barely sore at all," expects to make next start

VIERA, Fla. - Joe Ross says his heel is "barely sore at all" after he was struck by a comebacker during Sunday's outing against the Tigers, and that he expects to remain on schedule and make his next start as planned.

Ross said once the initial shock of taking Nick Castellanos' line drive off his right heel wore off, he realized the injury wasn't serious.

"The ball hit me, and I went to put my foot down and it was pretty painful at first," he said. "I think it was more the shock, a little fear maybe. But when I went to go walk off the field, I was fine. I think it was just that initial reaction. I guess you expect the worst immediately. But after that, it was fine."

The right-hander threw only 22 pitches during what was supposed to be a five-inning start in Lakeland when Castellanos' comebacker knocked him from the game in the bottom of the second. Though he wasn't able to build up his pitch count as much as planned, the Nationals are confident there's enough time for him to stretch himself out before the season's first week.

"I was hoping he'd go a little further, cause that kind of put him back endurance-wise," manager Dusty Baker said. "He was supposed to go five. That's a pretty big test. It's OK. He's young and strong, and it's a long year."

Ross, who had his heel wrapped in athletic tape after the game Sunday, was able to do all stretching exercises and play catch this morning. He hopes the heel is completely healed by Tuesday.

Baker didn't sound worried about the status of the 22-year-old, who is slotted in as either the Nationals' No. 4 or No. 5 starter.

"He didn't say nothing (today), I didn't say nothing," Baker said. "He would've said something, or the trainer would've said something to me (if there was a problem). If they don't say anything, then I don't ask sometimes."