Joe Ross (baseball)

Joe Ross
Ross with the Washington Nationals in 2015
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 41
Pitcher
Born: (1993-05-21) May 21, 1993 (age 31) Berkeley, California, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 6, 2015, for the Washington Nationals
MLB statistics (through 2024 season)
Win–loss record	29–34
Earned run average	4.19
Strikeouts	469
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Washington Nationals (2015–2019, 2021) Milwaukee Brewers (2024)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (2019)

Joseph Andrew Ross (born May 21, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers. The San Diego Padres selected Ross in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft (25th overall). He made his MLB debut in 2015 with the Nationals.

Professional career

San Diego Padres (2011–2014)

The San Diego Padres selected Ross in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft (25th overall) out of Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California.^[1] He had committed to attend the University of California, Los Angeles, but signed with the Padres.

He made his professional debut for the Arizona League Padres. Prior to the 2012 season he was ranked by Baseball Prospectus as the 95th best prospect in baseball.^[2] In 2012, he pitched for the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Single–A Midwest League but ended up missing most of the season on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation after being unable to make a May 10 start against the South Bend Silver Hawks due to tightness.

Ross returned for the 2013 season in Fort Wayne.^[3][4]

Ross with the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2014

Ross started the 2014 season with the Lake Elsinore Storm of the High–A California League.^[5] He was promoted to the Double-A San Antonio Missions during the season.^[6][7]

Washington Nationals (2015–2021)

On December 19, 2014, the Padres traded Ross and a player to be named later, Trea Turner,^[8] to the Washington Nationals as part of a three-team trade, in which the Padres traded Jake Bauers, Burch Smith, and René Rivera to the Tampa Bay Rays, and Washington traded Steven Souza and Travis Ott to Tampa Bay.^[9]

On June 6, 2015, Ross was called up to the Majors for the first time and he made his Major League debut that day as a starting pitcher.^[10] Ross outdueled Jimmy Nelson and A. J. Burnett in his second and third starts, respectively, earning wins for the Washington Nationals.^[11] He struck out 11 batters in his third appearance, snapping an eight-game winning streak by the Pittsburgh Pirates.^[12] On August 6, manager Matt Williams announced Ross would remain in the rotation and veteran starter Doug Fister would move to the bullpen, in recognition of the rookie's strong performance since his promotion.^[13] Ross' promotion lasted barely a month before Williams said on September 8 that reliever Tanner Roark would take over his spot in the rotation and Ross would move to the bullpen in an effort to keep him from exceeding an undisclosed "innings limit" for the season.^[14]

Although Ross started the 2016 season in the Nationals' rotation, he lost much of the season due to right shoulder inflammation. He was placed on the disabled list on July 3, 2016,^[15] and was activated again on September 18.^[16] Upon returning from the disabled list, Ross struggled to pitch deep into games, more than once forming a tandem with rookie right-hander Reynaldo López to pitch the first few innings of a game before López took over in long relief.^[17][18] Ross started game 4 of the 2016 NLDS with the Nats up 2–1 in the series giving up 4 runs on 55 pitches in 2.2 innings.

Ross was an up-and-down contributor for the Nationals in the first half of the 2017 season. He started the year pitching for the Class-AAA Syracuse Chiefs, but after Nationals starter Jeremy Guthrie was shelled for 10 earned runs in less than an inning in what would be his only appearance of the season,^[19] Ross was called up. Upon struggling in the early going, he was optioned back to Syracuse on May 1 in favor of Jacob Turner.^[20] Ross returned to the major league rotation on May 23, pitching well against the Seattle Mariners.^[21] Through the first half of the season, Ross received more run support than any other pitcher in the major leagues, with the Nationals averaging more than 10 runs in games Ross started. Out of 13 starts by Ross at the major league level in 2017, the Nationals scored at least 10 runs in eight of them.^[22] However, in the last of these starts, against the Atlanta Braves on July 9, Ross exited in the fourth inning as the velocity of his fastball dipped so low into the mid-80s that the stadium radar gun was registering them as changeups.^[23] On July 15, 2017, medical tests confirmed that his elbow was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament. It was further announced that he would undergo ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction ("Tommy John") surgery, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and at least part of the 2018 season.^[24] In 2017 he was 5–3 with a 5.01 ERA.

After recovering from his surgery, Ross attempted to make his first MLB start in 14 months on September 7, 2018, facing the Chicago Cubs on a rainy evening at Nationals Park. The game began after a 1-hour 21-minute delay, but the teams played for only 23 minutes before the game was stopped again with two outs in the top of the second inning and the score tied 0–0.^[25][26] Another 2-hour 54-minute delay ensued before the game was postponed.^[25][26] In his 1+2⁄3-inning outing, Ross threw 24 pitches,^[26] gave up one single and hit one batter,^[25] but retired the other five Cubs he faced,^[26] and his fastball was clocked consistently at 95–96 mph, occasionally reaching 97 mph, which was better than his pre-surgery velocity.^[26] In 2018 in three games he was 0–2 with a 5.06 ERA.

In 2019 he was 4–4 with a 5.48 ERA.^[27] Ross started game 5 of the 2019 World Series for the Nationals in place of Max Scherzer, who was dealing with a back injury. He allowed 4 runs in 5 innings and was credited with the loss as the Astros won 7–1. Ross received a World Series ring for his efforts after the Nationals defeated the Astros in 7 games.

On June 29, 2020, Ross announced he would not play in the shortened 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[28]

On August 17, 2021, Ross was placed on the injured list after suffering a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.^[29] On May 31, 2022, it was announced that Ross would require Tommy John surgery, ending his 2022 season.^[30]

San Francisco Giants

On January 30, 2023, Ross signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization.^[31] He played in 8 games split between the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Giants, Single–A San Jose Giants, and Triple–A Sacramento River Cats, accumulating a 5.14 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 14 innings pitched. Ross elected free agency following the season on November 6.^[32]

Milwaukee Brewers (2024)

On December 12, 2023, Ross signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.^[33] He began the season pitching out of Milwaukee's rotation, and compiled a 2–4 record and 4.50 ERA with 35 strikeouts across 9 starts. Ross was placed on the injured list with a low back strain on May 21, 2024,^[34] and transferred to the 60–day injured list on June 26.^[35] He was activated on July 30.^[36]

Philadelphia Phillies

On December 23, 2024, Ross signed a one–year, $4 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.^[37][38]

Personal life

Ross has an older brother, Tyson Ross, who pitched in MLB from 2010 to 2019.^[39][40] His father is a pediatrician and his mother an emergency room nurse in Oakland. His sister, Frankie, is a pediatrician and played soccer at Portland State University.^[41]

References

1. Angulo, Blair (June 7, 2011). "Baseball: Ross drafted in first round". Espn.go.com. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
2. Goldstein, Kevin (February 13, 2012). "Baseball Prospectus 2012 top 101 prospects". Baseballprospectus.com. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
3. "Joe: Ross Version 2.0". June 23, 2013. Archived from the original on January 24, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
4. "Joe Ross makes big gains in Fort Wayne". Utsandiego.com. June 26, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
5. Jackson, Josh. "Storm's Ross unfurls six scoreless frames". Milb.com. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
6. "Padres Promote Joe Ross to Double-A". Friars on Base. July 18, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
7. Dennis Lin. "Joe Ross moves up in Padres' farm system - UTSanDiego.com". U-T San Diego. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
8. "Nationals get prospect Trea Turner to finish deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 14, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
9. Cwick, Chris (December 19, 2014). "Padres, Rays and Nationals complete Wil Myers trade". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
10. Nationals bring up prospect Joe Ross, send down A.J. Cole
11. Wagner, James (June 13, 2015). "Nats show Ross some support, hammer Brewers, 7-2". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
12. Johnson, Chris (June 19, 2015). "Rookie Joe Ross fans 11 in 4-1 Nats win". MASN. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
13. Janes, Chelsea (August 6, 2015). "Joe Ross to stay in the rotation; Doug Fister moves to the bullpen". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
14. Janes, Chelsea (September 8, 2015). "Joe Ross will move to bullpen; Tanner Roark will start again". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
15. Kerr, Byron (July 3, 2016). "Joe Ross to disabled list with right shoulder inflammation". MASN Sports. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
16. Byrne, Connor (September 18, 2016). "Nats Activate Joe Ross, Designate Chris Bostick For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
17. Janes, Chelsea (September 29, 2016). "Nationals beat Diamondbacks in Joe Ross's final tuneup before playoffs". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
18. "9th and Last 18 gamer: Time to take the next step". TalkNats. October 8, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
19. Janes, Chelsea (April 9, 2017). "Nationals designate Jeremy Guthrie after he allowed 10 runs in two-thirds of an inning". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
20. "Washington Nationals: Joe Ross Controls His Fate". District on Deck. May 3, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
21. Reddington, Patrick (May 23, 2017). "Washington Nationals pound Seattle Mariners, 10-1; Joe Ross returns to the majors..." Federal Baseball. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
22. Zuckerman, Mark (July 9, 2017). "Nats overcome early Ross departure to beat Braves 10-5". MASN Sports. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
23. Zuckerman, Mark (July 9, 2017). ""Triceps tenderness" ends Ross' afternoon early". MASN Sports. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
24. Wilmoth, Charlie (July 15, 2017). "Joe Ross To Have Tommy John Surgery". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
25. Zuckerman, Mark, "Game postponed after two delays, true doubleheader Saturday," masnsports.com, September 7, 2018, 11:55 PM EDT Retrieved September 8, 2018
26. Zuckerman, Mark, "Game postponed after two delays, true doubleheader Saturday," masnsports.com, September 8, 2018, 2:59 PM EDT Retrieved September 8, 2018
27. "Washington Nationals win 2019 World Series". MLB. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
28. "Nats' Zimmerman won't play in '20, citing family". ESPN.com. June 29, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
29. "Joe Ross to injured list with partial UCL tear". MLB.com.
30. "Nationals' Joe Ross: Set for Tommy John surgery". cbssports.com. May 31, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
31. "Giants' Joe Ross: Signs NRI deal with San Francisco". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
32. "2023 MiLB Free Agents". November 8, 2023.
33. "Brewers add another arm in RHP Joe Ross". MLB.com.
34. "Ross (back) placed on IL as Crew's rotation takes another hit". mlb.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
35. "Brewers Select Dallas Keuchel, Eric Haase; Gary Sánchez Placed On IL". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
36. "Braves 5, Brewers 1: Milwaukee caps an inactive trade deadline day with a poor return from Joe Ross". jsonline.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
37. "Phillies agree to contract with Joe Ross". MLB.com. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
38. "Phillies, right-hander Joe Ross finalize one-year contract". ESPN.com. December 23, 2024. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
39. 6 a.m. (February 21, 2014). "Padres' Ross brothers together at last". Web.utsandiego.com. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
40. "Tyson Ross". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
41. Brock, Corey (May 9, 2013). "Ross' mom dedicated to kids on field and off". MLB.com. Retrieved January 26, 2014.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
• Joe Ross on Twitter