Ross set to return from Tommy John on Friday night (Nats fall 11-8)

Nationals manager Davey Martinez confirmed that right-hander Joe Ross will finally return from Tommy John rehab and make his first start of the season Friday night against the Cubs.

His last major league start was July 9, 2017, at home against the Braves.

Ross has made six minor league rehab starts since August 6. The first three starts maxed out at three innings apiece. The last three starts with Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse have gone at least five innings each.

The move coincides with shuffling starters into the bullpen, including Jefry Rodriguez.

"We moved Jefry to the bullpen today, too, only because last year he only threw 57 innings," Martinez said. "This year he's at 140. So we want to keep him down a little bit. So he'll pitch out of the bullpen. And Joe Ross will make his season debut Friday."

Newly promoted right-hander Kyle McGowin and Austin Voth will work out of the bullpen or be emergency piggyback options if Erick Fedde's start doesn't go well tonight.

"For the most part, we'll probably use them out of the bullpen," Martinez said. "Fedde will start today, and we'll see how he does, how he comes out of it. And we'll go from there. I told both McGowin and Voth that they'll be used out of the bullpen. And then we'll just keeping touching base with both of them and see what happens."

The club also sent left-hander Tommy Milone back to Syracuse so they have 24 games to look at some pitchers they haven't seen yet - or seen enough of - before the season winds down. Milone was outrighted off the 40-man roster to open a roster spot.

"It was a decision that we had to make," Martinez said. "We kind of wanted to get another roster spot, and that's all it was. We really want to see some of these younger guys pitch and see what we have for the future. That was a lot of the decision-making, too."

Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson is also nursing back to health from a sprained right wrist. Will he get more starts before the season concludes?

"Once he gets healthy, we'll figure that out," Martinez said. "Right now, he's scheduled to throw a sim game soon. So once he gets through that, we'll figure out what we're going to do."

Update: The second inning was a nightmare for Fedde, as the Cardinals plated four runs on four hits. Marcell Ozuna started off the scoring with a solo homer over the left field wall. Laterl with the bases loaded, Matt Carpenter laced a two-run single into right field.

Adam Eaton bobbled the ball in right field and that allowed the third run to cross the plate. Eaton was charged with an error.

Cardinals starter John Gant has not allowed a base hit through three innings.

After three innings, the Cardinals lead the Nats 4-0.

Update II: Bryce Harper's ground-rule double in the fifth scored two, highlighting a four-run comeback by the Nats.

After five innings, the Nats and the Cardinals are tied at 4-4.

Update III: The Cardinals added three runs on solo homers in the sixth: Ozuna's second of the game, followed by Paul DeJong and Patrick Wisdom.

Mid-sixth, the Cardinals lead 7-4.

Update IV: Wilmer Difo got one back with his seventh homer of the year.

After six innings, the Cardinals lead the Nats 7-5.

Update V: Sammy Solís allowed a grand slam to Yadier Molina in the top of the ninth.

Mid-ninth, the Cardinals now lead 11-5.

In the bottom of the ninth, Anthony Rendon delivered a RBI double. Ryan Zimmerman connected on a two-run double.

With two men on, Matt Wieters grounded out to second base to end the game. Hicks fired 103 mph sinkers.

Final score: Cardinals 11, Nats 8.