The Arizona Diamondbacks and free agent right-handed pitcher Joe Ross agreed to a minor league deal with a major league spring training invitation, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal first reported on Saturday.
The Diamondbacks continue to stock up on veteran pitching after officially bringing back Paul Sewald and agreeing to a contract with free agent Zac Gallen this week.
Ross, 32, has eight years of major league experience, mostly as a starter but more recently in the bullpen.
He is another veteran flier the Diamondbacks are reportedly taking in camp, someone who could represent minor league depth for the rotation or bullpen help.
Ross started a World Series game for the Washington Nationals in 2019, after which he opted out of 2020, made 20 appearances in 2021 and underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. He missed all of 2022 and 2023.
He returned in 2024 for the Milwaukee Brewers and was productive when healthy with a 3.77 ERA in 74 innings (25 appearances, 10 starts). He missed significant time during the season with a lower back strain but was quite effective in August and September with a 1.67 ERA in 15 games.
Ross joined the Philadelphia Phillies for 2025, pitching to a 5.12 ERA in 51 frames with more time missed due to back spasms before he was released.
He changed his pitch mix last year to rely more heavily on his mid-90s mph four-seam fastball over his slider, which did not lend to strong results or peripherals.
The righty has a career 4.28 ERA.
He’ll join a list of Diamondbacks non-roster invitees vying for pitching roles, including Jonathan Loaisiga, Derek Law, Isaiah Campbell, Bryce Jarvis, John Curtiss and Taylor Rashi.
