The Phillies have added another possible starting pitcher just days after acquiring Jess Luzardo, as the team has signed veteran Joe Ross to a one-year deal for $4M. Ross will serve as a swingman in the bullpen and as additional starting Phillies have agreed to terms on a contract for the 2025 season with RHP Joe Ross. To make room for Ross on the 40-man roster, RHP Jos Cuas has been designated for assignment. Philadelphia PhilliesDecember 23, 2024The 31-year-old righty appeared in 25 games including ten starts for the Brewers last season, pitching to a 3.77 ERA in 74 innings. It was Ross first season in the Majors since 2021 Michael Mercado Jersey, having undergone Tommy John surgery in 2022 and pitching in the Minors in 2023. Ross will begin the season in the Phillies bullpen where he was very successful in Milwaukee, posting a 1.47 ERA in 15 appearances with 27 strikeouts to 11 walks. He also saw a bump in velocity last season, averaging 94.8 MPH after previously averaging 93.6 and 94.1 in his previous two seasons in the Majors. Ross slider graded out as an above average pitch in 2024, limiting hitters to a.237 average with a 38.4 whiff percentage on 37% usage. With the addition of Ross, it all but officially closes the door on any possible reunion with Spencer Turnbull as the latter was the previous owner of the swingman role. Dave Dombrowski essentially confirmed that belief in a press conference Nick Williams Jersey, while also appearing to close the door on a possible return of Jeff Hoffman and giving an update to the plan for top prospect Andrew Painter. Phillies plan to save Andrew Painter’s innings for “July-ish, ” Dave Dombrowski said. Painter will throw but not pitch games in spring training, then build in minors at some for the bullpen Phillies Jersey, Dombrowski indicated they are likely done adding. Matt GelbDecember 23, 2024 It will be interesting to see what the addition of Ross means for the likes of Taijuan Walker, Kolby Allard, and Tyler Phillips.