State of the Nats' rotation entering 2022

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Nationals locked in their Opening Day starter with the recent announcement of left-hander Patrick Corbin. From there, several questions remain to be answered for the rotation before the 2022 season begins on Thursday.

“This has been the toughest Spring Training, just because of the amount of time we had,” manager Dave Martinez said.

Washington entered camp facing uncertainty with its starting rotation due to the injuries of right-handers Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross. Strasburg took a cautious approach in his return from season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, and he leaned toward following his usual six-week training program, which extended beyond this year’s lockout-abbreviated Spring Training schedule. His work was restricted to non-game action.

Ross required a minor scope procedure to remove a bone spur during his recovery from a season-ending partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 16. Both Strasburg and Ross will remain at the Nationals’ training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., at the start of the season to continue their rehab.

Beyond the returns of 2021 everyday starters Corbin and right-hander Josiah Gray, the Nationals have had the tall task of constructing a rotation in a matter of weeks. Look for righty Erick Fedde to be part of the rotation from the beginning of the season, whereas he joined it from the bullpen amid injuries the previous two years. Fedde was scratched from his start last Thursday because of right side soreness, but an MRI came back clear, and he is slated to start the final game of camp on Tuesday.

Veteran right-hander Aníbal Sánchez signed a Minor League contract with the Nationals on March 15 to compete for a roster spot in what would be his 16th Major League season after deciding not to play last year. Sánchez, 38, has been getting stretched out as a starter during Spring Training and will throw a sim game on Monday. He emphasized the positive aspect of feeling “healthy and strong” while working toward improved results on the mound.

Southpaw Josh Rogers is vying for one of the remaining rotation spots in hopes of making the Opening Day roster for the first time in his career. Rogers impressed in six starts late last season in a comeback from Tommy John surgery. He is stretched out as a starter but could also be utilized as a swingman out of the bullpen as well.

If that’s the case, righty Joan Adon would be a candidate for the starting rotation. Ranked as the Nationals’ No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, Adon recorded nine strikeouts in his Major League debut, which happened to be the final game of the 2021 season. The Nats will take another look at him on Monday in a start against the Cardinals to help shape their decision.

For a team that has had a flurry of changes already, expect more -- possibly even early in the season. Although the Nats’ No. 1 prospect, Cade Cavalli, is beginning the season in Triple-A, the righty is on track to make his Major League debut this year. In addition to the returns of Strasburg and Ross, the Nationals also will be monitoring the health of veteran right-hander Aaron Sanchez, who was assigned to Minor League camp on Sunday as he works his way back from last season’s bicep injury.

"April 7 is one day. It's Opening Day. It's a beautiful day for baseball," Martinez said. "But, in two, three weeks' time, things could change rapidly. We're going to go out there and compete come April 7, and we'll see where things lie after that."