Washington Nationals & Joe Ross Agree to 1 year Deal, $1.5 million per sources

Today, Mark Feinsand, MLB Network Insider has reported that the Washington Nationals and right-hander Pitcher Joe Ross have agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal. Ross had enough service time to be arbitration-eligible for the third time this year.

In 2020, Ross opted out of the season due to concerns around COVID-19. During 2020, Ross was set to earn $1.5 million, and because he opted out last season, he did not earn any service time for the year and will remain eligible for arbitration once again in 2021.

Joe Ross, earned a spot in the Washington Nationals pitching rotation in 2019 and was the starting pitcher for the Nationals in Game 5 of the World Series instead of Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer. Ross is considered to be part of the 2020 pitching rotation.

Additionally, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports stated that the Nationals have only two other unsigned arbitration-eligible players: Juan Soto and Trea Turner. According to MLB rules, the team and the players can agree on a 2021 salary at any point. However, the Washington Nationals will need to formally tender both player's contracts on Wednesday if they don't sign before then.

During the 2019 season, Ross had an ERA of .548 and had four wins and four losses, and pitched 64 innings. Ross made one appearance during the 2019 Postseason. In his one appearance, Ross pitched seven innings, gave up two home runs and six hits, and got the loss against the Houston Astros.