The Philadelphia Phillies continue to build their pitching staff in the wake of the blockbuster Jesús Luzardo trade.
On Sunday, the Phillies acquired Luzardo from the Miami Marlins in exchange for prospects Starlyn Caba and Emaarion Boyd. Adding the 27-year-old lefty gives the Phillies a full projected rotation with five high-ceiling starters.
However, in today's Major League Baseball, one can never be sure that a full starting rotation will stay healthy throughout a season. To that end, the Phillies made sure to continue adding depth with yet another addition on Monday.
Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported that the Phillies and right-handed pitcher Joe Ross, a seven-year MLB veteran, are in agreement on a one-year contract. Ross, who started and relieved for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024, is likely to fill a "swingman role," per Gelb.
Ross, 31, returned to the big leagues last season after spending 2022 and 2023 in the minors. He had a 3.77 ERA in 25 appearances for the Brewers, spanning 74 innings.
Ross' numbers were particularly intriguing out of the bullpen. He had a 1.67 ERA in his 15 relief appearances compared to a 4.98 mark in 10 starts. He also got better as the season progressed, with a 2.81 ERA after the All-Star break.
In total, Ross has a 4.19 ERA in 123 big-league appearances. His best season came all the way back in 2016, when he compiled a 3.43 ERA and 2.0 bWAR in 19 starts for the Washington Nationals.
Any pitcher is worth signing to a one-year contract as long as there's upside, and clearly there is with Ross. He proved in Milwaukee that he can fill multiple roles, and every staff needs someone like that who's ready for duty at any time.