Joe

Ross

Ross was let go by the Phillies last week after amassing a 5.12 ERA and a 39/18 K/BB in 51 innings. He could log time in the Cubs pen later this month.

Ross has been cut loose by the Phillies after struggling to a bloated 5.12 ERA across 51 innings (37 appearances, one start). The 32-year-old might be able to latch on somewhere else as middle relief depth.

Ross missed the minimum 15 days with his back spasms. He has a 5.28 ERA in 44 1/3 innings of middle-relief work for the Phillies this season.

No word yet on how much time Ross figures to miss. Back issues can be complicated matters, but we’re not anticipating a lengthy stint on the shelf. The 32-year-old righty has registered a serviceable 5.28 ERA across 44 1/3 innings (31 appearances) this season in his Phillies debut.

The Phillies haven’t asked for anything more than two innings at a time from Ross this spring, suggesting he’ll remain in middle relief if Ranger Suárez is forced to the IL. Taijuan Walker appears to be the team’s sixth starter right now. It might be for the best; Ross’s stuff hasn’t been up to par this spring, and while he’s managed a 3.12 ERA anyway, he’s fanned only four in 8 2/3 innings. He didn’t get a single missed swing today.

Ross was signed to fill Spencer Turnbull’s role on the Phillies staff, with the plan for him to open in middle relief and potentially start if needed. His velocity was down some from last year today, and he gave up three hits. He also walked one and hit a batter.

Dombrowski added that Painter, who looked extremely impressive in the Arizona Fall League, will throw in spring training, but will not pitch in Grapefruit League exhibition contests. The Phillies swung a trade for Jesús Luzardo and also signed swingman Joe Ross to fortify their starting rotation mix with the goal of having Painter built up enough from a workload standpoint to be ready to make an impact in the second half of next year. The 21-year-old top pitching prospect is expected to make an instant impact for fantasy managers once he arrives in the majors.

The deal is now official. Ross heads to Philadelphia to fill a versatile swingman-type role in addition to providing additional starting pitching depth behind fifth starters Jesús Luzardo and Taijuan Walker. The 31-year-old righty posted a respectable 3.77 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 66/29 K/BB ratio across 74 innings (25 appearances, 10 starts) last year for the Brewers in his return from Tommy John surgery. There isn’t a ton of intrigue for fantasy purposes, but Ross figures to gobble up plenty of frames next year for the Phillies as a relief weapon.

Ross provides the Phillies with a capable swingman and insurance policy behind Jesús Luzardo and Taijuan Walker at the back-end of their rotation mix. The 31-year-old righty posted a respectable 3.77 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 66/29 K/BB ratio across 74 innings (25 appearances, 10 starts) last year for the Brewers in his return from Tommy John surgery.

Ross allowed just one base runner through the first two innings, but the third inning was a bit more problematic. After striking out Ramon Laureano to start the frame, he then allowed four straight hits and a walk to Matt Olson, followed by another hit to Eddie Rosario. The Braves quickly found themselves up 4-0, while Ross found himself with 61 pitches thrown through three innings. Ross would then allow a solo homer to Jarred Kelenic in the fourth inning. It wasn’t the return Ross hoped for when the Brewers removed him from the 60-day IL. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday against the Braves.