Joe Ross and the Nationals agreed to terms today on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, avoiding arbitration, a source familiar with the deal confirmed.
With one day remaining before clubs are required to tender contracts to all of their arbitration-eligible players, the Nats managed to work out a deal with Ross that establishes his 2021 salary right now, though it was a fairly straightforward process.
The right-hander's contract is for the same amount he was due to earn in 2020 before he elected to opt out of the shortened season.
MLB.com was first to report the new agreement.
Because he chose to sit out the season amid coronavirus concerns, Ross forfeited his opportunity to accrue big league service time. His service clock remains at 4 years, 18 days, which means he won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2022 season.
The Nationals continue to count on Ross to hold a prominent role on their pitching staff. He's likely to enter spring training as the frontrunner for the fifth and final spot in their opening day rotation, once again competing with Erick Fedde and Austin Voth. Because he's out of minor league options, Ross is all but assured of making the club, whether as a starter or long reliever.
The 27-year-old was just starting to come into his own late in the 2019 season, going 4-1 with a 2.75 ERA in his final eight regular season starts. He then made a surprise emergency start in Game 5 of the World Series after Max Scherzer was scratched with a neck injury.
With Ross now taken care of, the Nationals have only two unsigned arbitration-eligible players heading into Wednesday's tender deadline: Juan Soto and Trea Turner. Both players will be tendered contracts, a mere formality. They'll then be free to negotiate terms on 2021 salaries in advance of the Jan. 15 deadline for both sides to submit competing arbitration figures, the final step before potential arbitration hearings in early February.