"Antsy" Gio Gonzalez will make initial 2016 start Monday

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez confirmed he will make his first start of 2016 on Monday night as the Nationals play host to the Braves.

"I'm looking forward to getting that ball and finally attacking that strike zone," Gonzalez said. "I haven't felt so excited like this in awhile. Hopefully here it goes."

Gonzalez said pitching coach Mike Maddux put forward the scenario of holding him until the April 11 game. One schedule for the starters manager Dusty Baker said that might work is a right-left-right trio of Max Scherzer, Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg to begin the season. But because of the two off-days in the first week, an alternate scenario was put in place with Gonzalez skipping a start and beginning Monday night.

"In spring training, it was mentioned," Gonzalez said. "I understood it immediately. The way I put it was as long as I get the ball every five days, I'm completely (understanding). We have four other starters that could be aces in any other rotation and I want to be out there and compete just as much as they are. As soon as I get the ball, I know I'm going to be 100 percent ready."

Gonzalez has enjoyed his time in the bullpen for the first two games of 2016, but admitted he cant wait to take the mound with the ball in his hand in the top of the first inning.

"I feel like I'm still spring training mode since I haven't gotten ready," Gonzalez said. "I can't wait to get the ball. I'm real antsy. I've been hanging around in the bullpen, seeing how these guys work down there.

"I told them I have nothing but the utmost respect for those guys in the bullpen where they have to be on their toes - the moment the phone rings, you don't know who it is. As far as that, it's a different perspective, I haven't seen that in awhile. And now to get back into the starting rotation mode again."

Gonzalez said he hasn't added any extra simulated innings or workouts to his normal five days of rest between starts. His last start was a six-inning 7-2 victory over the Braves in a March 27 exhibition game. That would mean 15 days off between starts.

"It's tough in my situation because I would be almost like a long relief guy," Gonzalez said. "But as far as the first two guys throwing (Scherzer and Strasburg), I don't think you need to be in the bullpen at the time. You needed just one out, maybe one inning.

"I finally feel like I got my game plan back together. Now I have an idea when I'm going to throw again. Hopefully, I'll be tuned up and ready to go by then."

Gonzalez admitted that he was a bit concerned about possibly losing his tempo and momentum from spring training, but feels like he will be able to kick it into gear Monday with no issues.

"It's almost like a hitter," Gonzalez said. "You go so long without swinging a bat, it's kind of rusty. But once you get back in the groove, once you start hitting that strike zone and getting your arm slot where you want to be, I think it's almost like riding a bike. That's basically it."

Gonzalez said he feels that continued confidence because he felt so good March 27 and that he has fought through tough situations in games during spring and found a way to get out of jams.

"Leaving on a high note," Gonzalez said of his final spring start. "No walks, going out there six innings. Moving the strikeouts up. I felt like I had more left in the tank going out there and pitching in my last start. That's always a positive sign coming out of spring training."

He finished 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in five starts. Despite no walks in that final outing, he did have 12 free passes in his first four games of spring, which is always a concern that Gonzalez manages in his game.

"The good thing was there was some rough patches to get through and I managed to battle out of tough situations. But as far as that, I feel confident, I feel strong, I feel ready, I feel like give me the ball right now and I'll go out there and try to pitch you nine innings," Gonzalez said. "That's just a great feeling, especially now with the new management and the new pitching coach. I pitched in front of Mike (Maddux) plenty of years, so I think he's kind of gotten the ... the idea who I am."