JUPITER, Fla. -- New season, same situation for Erick Fedde: Compete for a starting role, but stay ready for anything.

“I feel like it’s been my storyline for as long as I can remember,” Fedde said following the Nationals’ 4-4 tie against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Sunday. “I guess it’s kind of become normal.”

Like in years past, Fedde finds himself vying for the fifth spot in Washington’s starting rotation. He got the call in the Spring Training opener, where he allowed one hit, one run and two walks and struck out a batter over one frame.

The Nationals had capped Fedde between 25-30 pitches, and he threw 28 in the first. He was one of nine pitchers to take the mound.

“The biggest thing, for me, is he has to work ahead of hitters,” manager Dave Martinez said. “You can't fall behind, and that was the problem.”

After giving up a leadoff single to Tommy Edman, Fedde issued back-to-back walks to Matt Carpenter and Paul Goldschmidt, loading the bases for Nolan Arenado. But it was actually a wild pitch that got by catcher Blake Swihart which allowed the Cardinals’ first run. Fedde then fanned Arenado, threw out Carpenter at home on a fielder’s choice by Paul DeJong and got Yadier Molina to fly out to center.

“What I like is that he controlled himself,” Martinez said. “Things got hot, and he was able to get out of the inning without too much damage."

Fedde felt like his fastball was “kind of all over the place” against the first three batters, and he decided with Swihart to mix in more cutters to help get out of the inning.

“Definitely first time out, you don’t want to be in a jam,” Fedde said. “But I’m happy [Martinez] had the confidence in me to get out of it. Fastball command just wasn’t great today, but being able to battle through it and make some big pitches to stop a blow-up inning, that gives me confidence moving forward.”

The Nationals are taking a look at right-handers Fedde, Joe Ross, Austin Voth and Rogelio Armenteros as potential starters to join Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and Jon Lester in the rotation. Voth is slated to start on Monday against the Astros. How the Nationals use Fedde could be impacted by the fact that he has a Minor League option remaining.

“I think it’s just important to always just be ready,” Fedde said. “Especially because we have four guys that are very much established big leaguers, and a lot of us that want to be just like them.”

Fedde is trying to ride the momentum of a 2020 season in which he was called on from the bullpen to replace an injured Strasburg in late July. Fedde went 2-4 with a 4.29 ERA in 11 games (eight starts). He ended the year building up to a career-high seven innings in a five-strikeout performance against the Phillies. Fedde was prepared when his name was called then, and he’s focused on doing the same this season.

“I’m rooting for all the guys with me, and I know they’re cheering me on,” Fedde said. “I realize, too, that not everyone stays healthy all year. Sometimes you need to pick each other up. I’m trying to always focus on wanting that position and wanting to be the guy they call on to start the year. But if they need me later, I’m going to be that guy.”