Is Cody Ross on the Diamondbacks’ Endangered List?

Is Cody Ross sliding his way out of Phoenix? Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks made some big off-the-field news on Monday by designating pitcher Trevor Cahill for assignment. While performance dictated there was simply no room for Cahill, the fact that he is owed $20 million dollars made the moving a bit surprising. It gets me to wondering if another struggling veteran will be next out the door. Cody Ross has seen his playing time reduced due to a combination of ineffectiveness and the emergence of David Peralta. Perhaps the only thing keeping him around at the moment is the uncertain return of Mark Trumbo.

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Ross has struggled to find his groove since his mid-April activation from the disabled list. He suffered a serious hip injury last August, cutting short his first season with the D’backs. Signed to a three-year, $26 million dollar deal (with an option) before the 2013 season, it has been mostly an uphill battle for the 2010 NLCS MVP. He began his first year with the Snakes on the DL with a calf injury and then had some decent production in the 350 at-bats (8 HR’s, 38 RBI’s and a .278/.331/.413 line) before his injury. 2014 has been a much different story, with his struggles mirroring that of his team’s. In 109-at bats since his return, Ross has 9 RBI’s with a dreadful line of .191/.252/.236. In the meantime, Peralta has come up from Double A Mobile and basically taken the left field job. He has 12 hits (with 3 doubles and a home run) in 33 at-bats while starting (and finishing) almost every game in June. Ross has started only two games, finishing neither of them.

When Trumbo finally comes back from his fractured foot, it is possible that Ender Inciarte gets sent back to Triple A Reno. However, if the D’backs want to retain speed and defense in the outfield, it could be Ross that is searching for a new address.