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Meet the 2025 Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Joe Ross

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Ostrowski | Last updated Mar 13, 2025 1:00 PM ET

The 2025 MLB season is almost upon us and so is a crucial year for the Philadelphia Phillies. Fresh off an NL East title, but subsequent loss in the NLDS, the Fightins are once again hunting for Red October and an elusive third World Series Championship.

Over the next few days, we'll be taking you through each player with a chance at making the Phils' active roster and discussing expectations for all of them. Next up is another bullpen piece looking to finally have a healthy year...

Name: Joe Ross

Number: 41

Position: Pitcher

Throws: Right

Build: 6'5", 210 lbs.

Age: 31

Acquired: Signed as Free Agent in Offseason

Socials: Instagram, X

2024 Stats: 3-6, 3.77 ERA with 66 Ks, 29 BBs, and a .319 opponent OBP over 25 appearances (74.0 IP) with the Milwaukee Brewers. He began the season in the rotation, then went on the IL May 27 with a lower back strain. Ross made one start upon returning in July, then was moved to the bullpen for the remainder of the year. He retired four of five batters he faced in the NL Wild Card and earned the win in Game Two.

2025 Projections: The Phils could have found a hidden gem in Ross, who posted a 1.60 ERA after his switch to relief pitching.

"I think when I got to the bullpen, it's kind of like, 'You come in, it's your time to put the fire out,'" Ross told MLB.com. "You get the shorter stints to go out there, and I think that hyperfocus on three at bats, four at bats, whatever it is, you just try to get the ball to the next guy."

He also adds World Series experience to the pen, as he was teammates with Trea Turner on the 2019 Washington Nationals and pitched in two games against the Houston Astros. The risk here is Ross's long history of injuries. He missed most of 2018 and did not pitch in the majors in both 2022 and 2023 before dealing with yet another setback last year. This is the most boom-or-bust scenario unfolding on the Phillies this season.

Highlights from Last Season: