Diamondbacks sign Joe Ross, Oscar Mercado to Minor League deals

The Diamondbacks signed right-handed Joe Ross and outfielder Oscar Mercado on minor league contracts that include invitations to major league spring camp in Arizona. Ken Rosenthal of athletics was the first to report Ross’ deal Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors had the Mercado signature. Ross is a Wasserman client and Mercado is represented by Excel Sports Management.

Ross signed a one-year, $4 million guarantee with the Phillies last offseason in the wake of a 2024 season in which Ross put up some strong numbers (1.67 ERA over 27 innings) after being moved from the Brewers rotation to a bullpen role. After Tommy John surgery prevented Ross from major league action in the 2022-2023 seasons, his 2024 numbers were a nice rebound and a sign that relief pitching could be the way forward in his career.

Unfortunately, things didn’t really go well for Ross in Philadelphia. He posted a 5.12 ERA, 17.1% strikeout rate, and 7.9% walk rate over 51 innings (starting in one of 37 appearances) for the Phils, and was tagged for eight home runs while allowing plenty of hard contact. Philadelphia released Ross in late August and he continued with the Cubs on a minors deal, but didn’t get a single look on Chicago’s active roster even as rosters were expanded in September.

Mercado last played in the Majors in 2023, appearing in 20 games with the Cardinals. The outfielder had a strong rookie year with Cleveland in 2019, but has since hit .206/.262/.334 over 491 plate appearances since the start of the 2020 season. St. Louis defeated Mercado on July 5 and he opted for free agency, and he has since returned to the Dodgers, Tigers and two stints apiece with the Padres and Phillies without getting any more time on the Show.

The D’Backs have a ton of pitchers in camp on non-roster deals, so Ross faces an uphill battle to win a spot on Arizona’s Opening Day roster. Although he worked almost exclusively in a relief role last year, Ross could be deployed as a swingman again, which could improve his chances of finding a spot with the Snakes.

Corbin Caroll will start the season on the injured list while recovering from hamate surgery, leaving the D’Backs thinner than expected in the outfield at least through the early stages of the 2026 season. If other outfielders or multi-positional types (e.g The Tawa team, Ildemaro Vargas) on the depth chart have now moved up one spot with Carroll absent, the signing of Mercado adds more depth at at least the Triple-A level. Mercado is best suited as a corner outfielder, but he does have some experience in center field, so there could be an opportunity for Mercado to be a backup if he has a big camp performance.