Nationals' Gonzalez: 'It was never easy last year'

Washington Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez experienced a number of unwanted firsts last season. 

The 29-year-old failed to record a winning record, posted a career-high 3.57 ERA and didn't reach the 190-inning plateau - all for the first time in his five seasons as a full-time starter. Failure to meet his typically routine benchmarks was the result of a shoulder injury that landed him on the disabled list - another first for his career.

"It was never easy last year," Gonzalez told James Wagner of the Washington Post. "It was always an uphill battle, trying to stay healthy, trying to compete. It almost knocked the wind out of my sails."

Inflammation in his left shoulder cost Gonzalez a month midway through the season and now has the two-time All-Star finding new ways to condition his body. 

"I'm going to be 30 in September," Gonzalez said. "If I could go back to my 22-year-old body, I'd love to. Times have changed. You have to adapt to your body. You'e going to get some nicks."

Gonzalez managed a 10-10 record and 3.57 ERA to go with 162 strikeouts in 158 2/3 innings in 2014. Hardly a bad season by most people's standards, but he expects more.

"I'm very tough on myself," Gonzalez said. "I want to be a perfectionist. I hate missing one little thing."

The Nationals boast one of the best rotations in the majors following the acquisition of Max Scherzer, making Gonzalez the projected fourth starter in what has become an embarrassment of riches in the nation's capital.