Right-hander Ross signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs after being released by the Phillies. Ross missed 2022-23 due to Tommy John surgery and rebounded in 2024 with the Brewers, throwing 74 innings with a 3.77 ERA and near-league-average strikeout, walk, and ground-ball rates. Philadelphia gave him a one-year, $4MM contract but he posted a 5.12 ERA in 51 innings with a lower strikeout rate. The Cubs added him to shore up thinning pitching depth caused by injuries to Michael Soroka and Jameson Taillon and workload concerns among starters Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton and Javier Assad.
Ross, 32, missed the 2022 and 2023 seasons due to Tommy John surgery. He was back on the mound in 2024 and had a nice bounceback season. He tossed 74 innings for the Brewers in a swing role, allowing 3.77 earned runs per nine. His 20.6% strikeout rate, 9% walk rate and 41% ground ball rate were all close to league average.
Although his results have backed up this year, he's a sensible depth add for the Cubs, as they have seen their pitching depth thinned a bit recently. Prior to the deadline, their main rotation addition was Michael Soroka. Unfortunately, a shoulder strain put him on the injured list just a few days after that swap. A few weeks after that, a strained groin put Jameson Taillon on the shelf.
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