“That’s why we signed him,” Nationals Manager Dusty Baker said last week. “We didn’t sign him for no reason. But we have to see if he’s indeed the Edwin Jackson or see if there’s room. See, we’re going to be real crowded here soon … There’s only so many spots.”

The Nationals’ bullpen will look different by the end of the month, when the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline finally rolls around and non-contenders sell off capable pieces to prospective playoff clubs. What isn’t known is how different it will look from the unit currently sporting baseball’s highest bullpen ERA. While the Nationals have been seemingly connected to every potential available reliever in baseball, there are only so many vacancies to occupy, and financial constraints exist.

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They must also consider at least one other deadline: Jackson, who pitched for the Nationals in 2012, can opt out of his contract on Aug. 1, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The Nationals have until then to call Jackson up or risk losing him. He could be brought up as a reliever or, perhaps if Joe Ross needs to spend some time on the disabled list after his early exit on Sunday with triceps discomfort, as a starter. An update on Ross’s MRI exam results wasn’t available as of Wednesday afternoon.

Jackson is in Syracuse’s rotation, but began the season almost exclusively as a reliever for Baltimore’s Class AAA affiliate, pitching to a 3.12 ERA in 11 relief appearances. He then was promoted to the Orioles and allowed seven runs (four earned) in five innings as a reliever before he was designated for assignment. Then he went 12 1/3 innings without surrendering a hit for Syracuse, though walking eight.

The Nationals have to make a decision on Jackson soon, but he isn’t the only potential in-house option for their pitching staff. Erick Fedde, Wander Suero, Trevor Gott, Austin Adams, Francisco Rodriguez, Ryan Brinley are possible alternatives currently in the minors.

Fedde, 24, began the season as a starter before he was shifted to the bullpen with Class AA Harrisburg in mid-June. He was then promoted to Class AAA Syracuse, pitched in six games as a reliever, and was moved back to a starting role at the beginning of the month. The right-hander posted a 3.13 ERA in 16 relief appearances and a 4.14 ERA in nine starts across the two levels. Like Jackson, the Nationals could bring up Fedde to use as a starter or a reliever.

Suero, on the other hand, is strictly a reliever. The 25-year-old right-hander, who began the year in big-league spring training, has recorded a 2.01 ERA in 27 games for Harrisburg and Syracuse. Since joining Syracuse on June 2, has allowed runs in two of his 15 outings, struck out 12.5 batters per nine innings and hasn’t allowed a home run in 17 1/3 innings.

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Gott, 24, appeared in two games last month for Washington before going back to Syracuse, where he has 3.34 ERA in 28 games this season. Adams, 26, has a 2.50 ERA and is averaging 13.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 28 relief appearances for Syracuse, but his 7.3 walks per nine innings average could postpone his call-up until September 1st. Rodriguez, 35, signed a minor league deal with the Nationals at the end of June after the Tigers designated him for assignment, and has pitched in four games between Potomac and Harrisburg. Brinley, 24, hasn’t pitched above Class AA, but has succeeded at every level and has a 3.44 ERA in 29 games for Harrisburg this season.