Source: Joe Ross to be called up from Double-A to start Saturday

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

June 05, 2015, 9:10am

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The Nationals have had to be creative and aggressive in filling vacant turns in their rotation the last couple of weeks due to injuries to starters Doug Fister (right forearm tightness) and Stephen Strasburg (neck tightness).

That assertive formula continues this weekend as the Nationals will call up Double-A Harrisburg right-hander Joe Ross to make his first major league start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, an industry source confirmed to MASNsports.com. The news originally reported in a tweet by @NorCalbaseball.

Norcal alum Joe Ross is called up by the nationals and will be pitching Saturday. That makes an even 40 alumni in the big leagues
-- NorCal Baseball (@NorCalBaseball) June 5, 2015

Ross is 2-2 with a 2.81 ERA in nine starts for Harrisburg. He was acquired from the Padres, along with shortstop Trea Turner as a player to be named, in the three-team deal fthat sent outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays. The 6-foot-4, 210 lb. Ross is a 2011 first-round selection and the younger brother of Padres hurler Tyson Ross.

In his last start at Bowie on May 31, Joe Ross went seven innings and allowed three hits, one run, no walks, hit a batter and struck out seven. He has 54 strikeouts and 12 walks in 51 1/3 innings.