Baker concerned about Ross's blister, status for Tuesday

Manager Dusty Baker had limited notes on the status of right-hander Joe Ross, who left his last start due to a blister on his right middle finger.

Baker said he had not talked to pitching coach Mike Maddux yet for an update as of Saturday morning but did see Ross work out Friday.

"I was surprised to see him throwing yesterday," Baker said. "It looks ugly. I don't know if he could throw a full game like that. There is skin over it, but it looks kind of like an open wound where they shaved the callous off. I don't think it ever blistered, which is a good thing. It was raining out today, so I don't know if he has gone out."

Ross is 2-0 with a team-leading 0.54 ERA in three starts over 16 2/3 innings. He has 10 strikeouts and five walks, allowing only one earned run and nine total hits.

The 6-foot-4, 225 lbs., hurler was acquired alongside shortstop Trea Turner in a three-team trade with the Rays and Padres in December of 2015.

What has made Ross so good to start this season?

"Just ability. He trained," Baker said. "He trained in the winter time and he works extremely hard. He has as much desire as anybody out there. You wouldn't know that he's not a silly 22-year-old kid. He's a pretty serious guy.

"I think it helps that he has a brother (Padres starter Tyson Ross) to emulate and a brother to work out with. He's seen a lot in a short period of time. I don't understand how San Diego gave him to us really, but I appreciate it."

The Nationals have a scheduled off day Monday and Ross was slotted to go again on Tuesday against the Phillies. But Baker said if he is not ready, they could conceivably just move everyone up one day because they have the rest day Monday.

"Probably, yeah, because you just back everybody else up a day because of the off-day," Baker said. "But I don't want to get ahead of myself. We'll see."