According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, they have agreed to a one-year contract with swingman pitcher Joe Ross. The financial details were not disclosed.
The right-hander played last season with the Milwaukee Brewers, marking his first MLB appearance since 2021 following Tommy John surgery and spending the entire 2023 season in the minors.
Throughout his career, Ross has pitched in 123 games, starting 86 of them, with an ERA of 4.19 over 517 1/3 innings.
Philadelphia fans might remember him from his time with the Washington Nationals, where he won the World Series in 2019 as a swingman pitcher.
One significant issue for the Phillies last season was the absence of a player like him to handle long relief innings or make spot starts.
Ross fulfilled that role with the Brewers last season, achieving an ERA of 3.77 and an ERA+ of 111 in 10 starts and 15 bullpen appearances.
As a former No. 25 overall pick in the 2011 draft, his background suggests he could be a valuable arm in Philadelphia. After his elbow surgery, he seemed to have improved, and at just 31 years old, he might still have enough to make a meaningful contribution.
Although fans might not be pleased, the reality is that the Philadelphia Phillies are likely to operate on the fringes for the rest of the winter.
This is largely due to the significant amount of money they've already spent and the substantial contracts they've committed to for the future.
As a result, this offseason has been quieter than anticipated.
Hopes for Juan Soto and another standout player have shifted to the additions of Jordan Romano, Max Kepler, and a trade for Jesus Luzardo.
All three players have been elite at various points in their careers, which is what the Phillies are counting on as they don their new uniforms this year.
Even after acquiring Luzardo, Philadelphia still has gaps in their pitching staff since Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez remain free agents on the market.
Expecting both to leave, the Phillies managed to add another reliever to their roster.
Jul 30, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Joe Ross (41) delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at American Family Field.
Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Phillies sign former Brewer reliever Joe Ross
December 24, 2024
A solid bullpen signing.
Philly Sports Jawn
Jawn Kruk
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