The Philadelphia Phillies further buffered their pitching staff Monday by signing Joe Ross to a one-year deal worth $4 million, league sources told The Athletic. Ross, 31, is expected to fill a swingman role for the Phillies, who could use him as a long reliever or starter.
Ross did both last season while with the Milwaukee Brewers. He had a 3.77 ERA in 25 games — 10 of them starts. For his career, Ross has a 4.19 ERA in parts of seven seasons. He’s been a starter for most of his career but did not pitch in the majors from 2022-23 while he recovered from a second Tommy John surgery.
By adding Ross to the bullpen mix, the Phillies have seven slots that appear set. They’d go into spring training with Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm, José Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, José Ruiz, Tanner Banks and Ross as the initial mix. That would leave one job open to competition.
The Phillies had said they were in the market for a veteran swingman-type pitcher — someone who could fill a role similar to what Spencer Turnbull did for them a season ago.
GO DEEPER Phillies acquire lefty Jesús Luzardo in trade with Marlins(Photo: John Fisher / Getty Images)
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Matt Gelb is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Philadelphia Phillies. He has covered the team since 2010 while at The Philadelphia Inquirer, including a yearlong pause from baseball as a reporter on the city desk. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and Central Bucks High School West.
