The Boston Red Sox today agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Robbie Ross Jr. on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2016 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration.
President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement.
Ross, 26, appeared in 54 games over five stints with the Red Sox in 2015, his first season with the organization, going 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA (26 ER/60.2 IP) and 53 strikeouts. He recorded the first six saves of his big league career, converting all five chances after taking over as closer on September 13, and also tied for second on the team with 12 holds. For the season, Ross induced eight double plays, tied for seventh most among American League relievers, and held left-handed batters to a career-best .224 average (19-for-85). He did not allow a run in 15 of his last 19 appearances beginning on August 15, posting a 3.00 ERA (5 ER/15.0 IP) in that stretch.
Acquired via trade from the Rangers on January 27, 2015, the native of Kentucky is 13-10 with six saves and a 3.95 ERA (117 ER/266.1 IP) and 209 strikeouts in 204 career major league games (12 starts) between the Rangers (2012-14) and Red Sox (2015).
With today's agreement, the Red Sox have no remaining unsigned players eligible for salary arbitration.