Last spring, the SF Giants signed former first-round pick Joe Ross, to a minor-league contract. Their hope was that Ross could rehab from injury and return to the majors late last year. Now Ross will be returning to the major leagues - but with the Milwaukee Brewers. Pending a physical, Ross has agreed to a one-year, $1.75 million contract. The agreement was first reported by Robert Murray of FanSided and details were reported by Jim Bowden of The Athletic.
The Giants took a no-risk flyer on Ross last year, as he was still recovering from the second Tommy John surgery of his career in May 2022. Ross partially tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow back in August 2021, tried to rehabilitate without surgery, had a bone spur removed, then finally went under the knife after throwing three innings in his lone minor-league start of the year.
Ross grew up in the Bay Area, so the chance to rehab near home was likely tempting. He was born in Berkeley, grew up in Oakland, and was drafted out of Bishop O'Dowd High School by the Washington Nationals in 2011. His brother Tyson played for the Oakland A's after going to college at UC Berkeley.
But Ross had a setback early and never quite got healthy last year. He started the season on the 60-day injured list for the Sacramento River Cats and didn't make his debut until late August, with Single-A San Jose. The Giants were understandably cautious with Ross, limiting him to four appearances with San Jose and three in Sacramento, for a total of 13 innings.
The Brewers clearly saw something they liked, or they're hoping that Ross can return to his previous form. He's still only 30 years old, with a lifetime ERA of 4.26. In his last major-league season, he struck out 109 hitters in 108 innings, against only 34 walks, and had a 4.17 ERA in 19 starts before he hurt his elbow. Ross' first Tommy John surgery cost him half of 2017 and most of the 2018 season, but he returned and even started - and lost- Game 5 of the 2019 World Series.
Ross signing with Milwaukee closes the door on a Farhan Zaidi special: the "value" signing of an injured pitcher. This happened in 2022, when the Giants gave Matthew Boyd $5.2 million knowing he'd miss the first half of the season. Boyd didn't debut until September 1, a month after he was traded to the Seattle Mariners.
The Giants also signed Trevor Rosenthal that summer, and traded him 11 days later for Tristan Peters, who was traded for Brett Wisely. This year, it was Luke Jackson, who signed a two-year deal, and didn't pitch until May 31.
Granted, the Giants have had success with pitchers coming off arm injuries as well. Relievers John Brebbia and Scott Alexander both turned into significant contributors following UCL surgery and Carlos Rodón was available on a smaller deal because of a less severe arm injury as well.
Nevertheless, the SF Giants did not reap massive rewards from signing Joe Ross to a minor-league deal. However, it seems that they were not the only organization intrigued with his upside. Now he'll look to find a role with the Milwaukee Brewers.
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