Pitcher Joe Ross was sent to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday because the Washington Nationals don’t need a fifth starter until the middle of April.
Sending Ross down opened an extra spot on the bench, which may be handy on Opening Day because of Anthony Rendon’s ailing calf.
Rendon fouled a ball off his left calf March 28. He has not played in a game since. Nationals manager Dusty Baker said Rendon took batting practice Saturday.
The calendar that allowed the temporary departure of Ross and Rendon’s injury have combined to land Wilmer Difo a spot on the Opening Day 25-man roster. Michael A. Taylor has also made the team as the fourth outfielder.
Difo can play multiple infield positions. He will back up Stephen Drew in the role of utility infielder. If Rendon can’t play Monday when the Nationals start the season at home with a 1:05 p.m. game, expect the left-handed Drew to play third base against Miami starter Edison Volquez. Drew is 4-for-14 in his career against Volquez.
Taylor used another hot spring to again make the team. However, his torrid numbers from last spring did not translate to the regular season. At this point, he is a defensive replacement and pinch-runner who will receive spot starts when other outfielders need a break.
Washington’s rotation for the first week stacks up this way:
Monday: Volquez vs. Stephen Strasburg
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: Dan Straily vs. Tanner Roark
Thursday: Tom Koehler vs. Gio Gonzalez
Friday: Max Scherzer vs. Vince Velasquez (at Philadelphia)
Saturday: Strasburg vs. Aaron Nola (at Philadelphia)
Sunday: TBD (at Philadelphia)
Here is Washington’s 25-man roster:
Catchers
Matt Wieters
Jose Lobaton
Infielders
Ryan Zimmerman
Daniel Murphy
Trea Turner
Anthony Rendon
Adam Lind
Stephen Drew
Wilmer Difo
Outfielders
Bryce Harper
Adam Eaton
Jason Werth
Chris Heisey
Michael A. Taylor
Starting pitchers
Stephen Strasburg
Max Scherzer
Tanner Roark
Gio Gonzalez (L)
Bullpen
Blake Treinen (CL)
Shawn Kelley
Sammy Solis (L)
Koda Glover
Enny Romero (L)
Joe Blanton
Oliver Perez (L)
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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