Nationals considering shutting down Joe Ross

Ross showed signs of fatigue after his start against the Atlanta Braves.

The Washington Nationals and manager Matt Williams are considering shutting down rookie pitcher Joe Ross for the season following his signs of fatigue after his start on Sunday, reportsThe Washington Post's Chelsea Jane.

“That’s a big discussion for us,” Williams told reporters after Sunday's game. “Again, we have to understand where he’s at. The territory he’s in. What options we have going forward. We’ll make decisions. We have a few days to make those, certainly. We’ll move forward on those when we can.”

Ross has pitched 149 2/3 innings on the year, which is 28 more than he has at any professional level.

On Sunday, he went 4 1/3 innings on 76 pitches while allowing four runs off six hits against the Atlanta Braves,

Entering Monday, the Nationals are four games back of the New York Mets in the National League East.

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- Christopher Chavez