The Washington Nationals avoided arbitration with two more players Friday ahead of the MLB’s deadline. Both right-hand pitcher Joe Ross and left-hand pitcher Roenis Elias agreed to one-year deal, according to multiple reports.
Shortstop Trea Turner is the lone arbitration-eligible player for the Nationals. There is no word on any agreement between Turner and the club at the present time.
The club avoided arbitration with outfielder Michael A. Taylor on Thursday.
RHP Joe Ross
Ross agreed to a $1.5 million deal. He had an up-and-down season in 2019. It was his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2017.
As a reliever, Ross couldn’t find his footing. He posted an ERA of 11.17 with a 2.172 WHIP in 18 appearances. However, after being sent back to the minors, Ross returned and fared better as a starter.
Ross went 4-2 in nine starts, posting an ERA of 3.02 with a 1.455 WHIP. He appeared in two games in the World Series, starting Game 5 against the Houston Astros in the place of Max Scherzer, who dealt with a back injury.
This season, Ross is expected to compete with Austin Voth and Erick Fedde for the fifth pitcher in the starting rotation.
LHP Roenis Elias
Elias is signing for $1.975 million. The Nationals acquired Elias ahead of the 2019 trade deadline from the Seattle Mariners.
He landed on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring injury in his first appearance with Washington.
Elias pitched three innings for Washington in four appearances. Between his time with the Mariners and Nationals, he appeared in 48 games, pitching 50 innings. He had a 3.96 ERA and 1.280 WHIP.
Elias was left off the Nationals’ roster for the NL Wild Card and NLDS. He was added for the NLDS, however, was left off for their World Series roster.
Elias is expected to join a bullpen that Mike Rizzo sought to improve this off-season by re-signing Daniel Hudson and added Will Harris, previously from the Astros.
