The Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen was a dumpster fire to start the 2025 season. Offseason acquisition Jordan Romano hasn’t met expectations, owning a 12.19 ERA in 12 appearances, and relievers like Orion Kerkering and José Ruiz haven’t pitched to their standards.
Romano wasn’t the only veteran reliever the Phillies brought in this past offseason. The Phillies signed swingman Joe Ross to a one-year deal to give the pitching staff some flexibility. His first seven appearances didn’t go as planned.
Joe Ross finally stepping up after early-April disaster
Ross allowed one hit, one walk and one earned run in one inning of work in his Phillies debut on March 29. After two scoreless outings, the right-hander struggled in three of his next four appearances.
Ross allowed two hits, including a home run, on April 9 against the Atlanta Braves in 1 2/3 innings. The following day, he took the mound in the bottom of the 11th inning with a 2-1 lead and first allowed a game-tying RBI double before allowing a walk-off two-run home run.
After a scoreless inning of work on April 14 against the San Francisco Giants, Ross’ worst performance in a Phillies uniform came two days later. The 31-year-old allowed four hits, one walk and four earned runs in one inning against the Giants. He had a season-high 9.39 ERA after that debacle.
The Phillies’ bullpen has been a weak spot through the first month of the season. However, the group is starting to figure things out, and Ross has been a large reason for that.
Ross has pitched five consecutive scoreless outings in 9 2/3 innings since his disaster against the Giants. He owns a 4.15 ERA, fourth-lowest among Phillies’ relievers.
He may not be a dominant, overpowering reliever, but if Ross continues to pitch the way he has over his last five appearances, then the Phillies’ bullpen will become much more reliable. Hopefully, Romano can find success like Ross has recently.