Phillies' Joe Ross: Serves up walk-off homer Thursday
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Ross (1-1) took the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits in the 11th inning Thursday against Atlanta, failing to record an out.
Ross was brought on to protect a one-run lead, but Austin Riley promptly doubled in the tying run, which was unearned. However, Marcell Ozuna lifted a two-run homer to walk it off for Atlanta in the ensuing at-bat. Ross is a candidate for high-leverage work in the Philadelphia bullpen due to Jordan Romano's struggles, but he's blown both of his save opportunities in 2025 and will need to improve on his 6.35 ERA over 5.2 innings to avoid moving back into a long-relief role.
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Phillies' Joe Ross: Could see higher leverage work
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Ross might see more high-leverage work while Jordan Romano sorts through his struggles, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Ross has permitted one run with a 3:1 K:BB over four innings this season. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that he views Ross as someone who can give the team "a little bit of bulk," but also is "kind of a leverage guy, too," based on how his stuff has looked. Ross is still behind Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm in the bullpen pecking order, but he is inching up the hierarchy.
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Phillies' Joe Ross: Next man up for rotation spot
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Ross is building up a starter during spring training, but he's expected to open the season in the bullpen if all five members of the Philadelphia rotation are healthy heading into Opening Day, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
The right-hander seems to be the next man up for a starting spot if any of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Jesus Luzardo or Cristopher Sanchez aren't available to make their first turn through the rotation to begin the season. Ideally though, manager Rob Thomson said Monday that Ross will serve primarily as a multi-inning or one-inning leverage option out of the bullpen. While with Milwaukee during the 2024 regular season, Ross struggled over his 10 starts (4.98 ERA, .321 wOBA, 39:18 K:BB in 47 innings), but he was effective across 15 relief appearances (1.67 ERA, .258 wOBA, 27:11 K:BB in 27 innings).
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Phillies' Joe Ross: Inks one-year deal with Philly
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The Phillies signed Ross to a one-year, $4 million contract Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Ross essentially slides into the swingman role vacated by free agent Spencer Turnbull. The 31-year-old Ross fared much better in relief (1.98 ERA, 24.1 percent strikeout rate) than he did as a starter (4.98 ERA, 18.7 percent strikeout rate) with the Brewers in 2024.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Works out of bullpen Tuesday
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Ross struck out a batter and allowed one hit and one walk over two scoreless innings out of the bullpen Tuesday in the Brewers' 10-0 win over Atlanta.
After returning from the 60-day injured list July 30, Ross started and covered five innings while taking a loss against Atlanta. Ross had started in each of his first 10 appearances of the season with Milwaukee and posted a 4.98 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in those outings before being moved to the bullpen this week. With the acquisition of Frankie Montas at the trade deadline, the Brewers didn't have room in the rotation for Ross, who should continue to operate as a low-leverage reliever until an injury to another starting pitcher reopens a rotation spot.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Takes loss in return
Rotowire
Ross (2-5) allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings, taking the loss versus Atlanta on Tuesday.
Ross missed over two months with a back strain, and he was a little rusty in his return. He threw 61 of 87 pitches for strikes but gave up four runs in the third inning and a solo home run to Jarred Kelenic in the fourth. Ross now has a 4.98 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB through 47 innings over 10 starts this season. He is not guaranteed to stay in the rotation, as the Brewers traded for Frankie Montas and have also gotten good results from Colin Rea and Tobias Myers in Ross's absence.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Confirmed to start Tuesday
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Ross (back) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and will start Tuesday's game versus Atlanta, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.
Though Ross will slot into the Milwaukee rotation and will make his first start for the big club since May 20, he may be headed to the bullpen once trade-deadline acquisition Frankie Montas officially joins the roster. Ross was torched for 11 earned runs on 14 hits and five walks over 8.1 innings in his final two rehab starts at Triple-A Nashville and posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over nine outings with Milwaukee prior to being shelved, so he'll be difficult to trust as a streaming option.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Set to join big club, start Tuesday
Rotowire
The Brewers are expected to activate Ross (back) from the 60-day injured list and have him start Tuesday against Atlanta at American Family Field, MLB.com reports.
Even though he was lit up for 11 earned runs on 14 hits and five walks over 8.1 innings in his final two rehab outings with Triple-A Nashville, Ross apparently checked out fine physically upon returning to Milwaukee this weekend and completing a bullpen session in front of the coaching and training staffs Saturday. Though Ross looks to be fully stretched out after tossing 80 pitches for Nashville his last time out Wednesday, the Brewers could nonetheless be conservative with his workload against Atlanta, considering he's been on the shelf since May 21 with a low back strain. Moreover, the Brewers have Bryse Wilson and Jakob Junis on hand as multi-inning options out of the bullpen, so the team doesn't have as much of a need for Ross to take on a significant pitch count in his first start with the big club in more than two months.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Struggles again in rehab start
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Ross (back) made a rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Nashville and gave up three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings.
Ross tossed 80 pitches (50 strikes) in Wednesday's outing and looks ready to return from the 60-day injured list from a workload standpoint, but it's unclear if the Brewers will turn to him to fill the vacant spot in their rotation. Before landing on the IL on May 21 with a low back strain, Ross turned in unremarkable ratios (4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) over his nine starts, and his recent results at Nashville haven't inspired much confidence. He began a rehab assignment earlier this month and has now made four minor-league starts in total, but he's labored in both of his past two outings, striking out six while allowing 11 earned runs on 14 hits and five walks over 8.1 innings. Milwaukee will require a fifth starter again Tuesday versus Atlanta, but Ross' poor form of late could prompt the team to opt for a bullpen game rather than activating the right-hander.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Another rehab start coming Friday
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Ross (back) is scheduled to make the third start of his rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Nashville, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Ross's upcoming start with Nashville could be his last before he returns from the 60-day injured list. He built up to 3.2 innings and 46 pitches in his latest start with Nashville on Wednesday, so Ross will likely be targeted for around 60-to-75 pitches in his upcoming outing. After designating Dallas Keuchel for assignment Sunday, Milwaukee has an opening in its rotation that would next need to be filled July 24 versus the Cubs. If Friday's rehab start goes well, Ross could be part of the Brewers' plans for the July 24 game as a starter or bulk reliever.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Covers 3.2 innings in rehab start
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Ross (back) struck out three over 3.2 scoreless innings in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Nashville. He scattered two hits and one walk in the 46-pitch start.
Ross took the hill on three days' rest for his second minor-league rehab start, after he threw 34 pitches over 2.2 innings in his first rehab outing with High-A Wisconsin this past Saturday. The right-hander recorded his 11 outs in efficient fashion Wednesday and should continue to build up his pitch count over the course of at least two more rehab starts. He could return from the 60-day injured list and return to the Milwaukee rotation shortly after the All-Star break.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Ready for rehab outings
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Ross (back) will make a rehab start with High-A Wisconsin on Saturday.
Ross has been sidelined since May 20 and has been ruled out through the All-Star break. It's uncertain how many pitches he'll throw in his first rehab appearance, though it's a clear step forward and an indication he has the chance to rejoin the rotation at some point in July.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Pushed to 60-day injured list
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The Brewers transferred Ross (back) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who will start Wednesday's game against the Rangers. Ross' timetable remains unchanged as a result of the move, as he had already been ruled out through the All-Star break. He had been set to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, so the righty seems to be trending in a positive direction.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Ruled out through All-Star break
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Ross (back) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic reports.
Ross suffered a setback with his back injury earlier this month but is ready to test things from the bump again. A return before the end of the first half for the righty was ruled out Monday by Brewers manager Pat Murphy, as Ross will need multiple throwing sessions from the mound and eventually a rehab assignment.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Suffers setback
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Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Monday that Ross (back) recently suffered a setback and is without a timeline to resume his throwing program, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The Brewers had previously hoped that Ross would be ready to return from the 15-day injured list around mid-June, but his setback now takes that off the table. The veteran right-hander has been shelved since late May with a lower-back strain. He went 2-4 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB in 42 innings over his nine starts prior to being placed on the IL.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Mid-June return possible
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Ross (back) will throw a bullpen session this weekend, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Ross will need to make at least one rehab start after that, but a return from the 15-day injured list by mid-June is possible if everything goes according to plan. The veteran right-hander has been sidelined since late May with a lower-back strain. Ross has collected a 4.50 ERA and 35:16 K:BB over 42 innings covering nine starts this season.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Lands on 15-day injured list
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The Brewers placed Ross on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a low-back strain.
Ross had to be removed from Monday's start versus the Marlins with the injury, although manager Pat Murphy said it's something that's bothered the pitcher for a while, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The hope is that the right-hander's absence will not be a lengthy one. Tobias Myers has taken Ross' spot on the roster and could also take his place in the rotation.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Likely headed for IL
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Ross (back) is expected to require a stint on the 15-day injured list, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Ross was forced out of his start Monday against the Marlins after his back tightened up, and he was later diagnosed with a low back strain. The club will likely wait to see how he responds Tuesday before making an official roster move. Milwaukee is already thin when it comes to starting pitching, so the team will once again be forced to turn to their farm system for help. Aaron Ashby and Tobias Myers are candidates to enter the rotation if it's confirmed that Ross requires a trip to the IL.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Exits start early
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Ross was removed from Monday's start against the Marlins after one scoreless inning due to back tightness, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.
Ross was reportedly dealing with some back tightness before Monday's start, but he felt good enough to give it a go after warming up. However, his back tightened back up during a 15-pitch first inning, and he's been officially diagnosed with a low back strain. Jared Koenig was called upon out of the bullpen following the right-hander's departure and will likely be asked to eat up a few frames.
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Brewers' Joe Ross: Gets on track with win
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Ross (2-4) picked up the win Tuesday against Pittsburgh, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk across five innings. He struck out six.
Ross got a tally in the win column for the first time since April 9, putting together a spotless day outside of a two-run homer by Nick Gonzales in the fourth. Although the 31-year-old hasn't been outstanding in 2024, he's been a reliable arm for a Brewers rotation that has been plagued by injuries. He's lasted at least five innings in six of his eight starts and has surrendered three or fewer runs six times as well. Ross is set up to make his next start during a three-game road series against the Marlins early next week.
