The Rays are juggling the roster again, and the biggest hit came on the pitching side.
Before Tampa Bay opened a three-game series with the Athletics at Tropicana Field, the club watched right-hander Michael Grove get claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. Grove had been designated for assignment recently after making three appearances for the Rays this season, when he posted a 5.14 ERA over seven innings. Now he’ll finish the year with Atlanta for the stretch run.
That wasn’t the only move, though, and the one that matters most for Tampa Bay is the loss of Tyler Wells. The right-handed reliever is going on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Sept. 13, because of right forearm tightness. That effectively ends his regular season, with the Rays’ final game set for Sept. 27 against the Philadelphia Phillies before the postseason begins.
Wells has been one of the club’s best bullpen arms since arriving from the Baltimore Orioles ahead of the MLB trade deadline. In 14 appearances and 18 innings, he has a 1.50 ERA, 19 strikeouts, a 3-0 record and 0.9 bWAR. For a bullpen already missing Edwin Uceta all season and now dealing with Garrett Cleavinger and Manuel Rodriguez on the injured list too, it’s another significant setback.
To help fill the gap, Tampa Bay recalled Alex Cook from Triple-A Durham. He’s been bouncing back and forth between the majors and Durham lately as the Rays keep cycling through arms.
Joining Wells on the injured list is Jacob Melton, who was recalled from Durham and placed on the 60-day IL. That move opens a spot on the 40-man roster if Tampa Bay needs it later.
The Rays also activated outfielder Jake Fraley, who returns from the 60-day injured list after dealing with a hernia. He hasn’t played in the majors since May 15. Fraley gives manager Kevin Cash another left-handed bat off the bench, though it’s hard to see him jumping ahead of Victor Mesa Jr. given how well Mesa Jr. has performed this season.
With Fraley back in the mix, Tampa Bay optioned catcher Kenny Piper to Triple-A.
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Rays Move On From Pitcher Still Trying To Rebound From Surgery
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Grove had been designated for assignment by Tampa Bay before Atlanta stepped in, giving the Braves a low-cost way to keep a familiar major league option in the system. For now, he gives them some extra flexibility at Gwinnett while the bigger question remains how soon the big league staff can get healthier. [Read more 🡒]
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Jeff Francoeur has already gone as far as calling Mahle the best pitcher to move midseason, and the argument has enough fuel to keep circulating. Tarik Skubal has been solid with the Dodgers over the same number of appearances, but Atlantas return has been the cleaner headline so far, especially considering what it took to get Mahle. Still, these evaluations are always fluid this time of year, and the final verdict may depend on how both pitchers finish the season. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Ownership Debate Just Got More Real Than Fans Expected
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John Malone has not suggested any willingness to move the team, and inside the organization the logic runs the other way. Braves officials believe a sale before the leagues national media contracts are set to take effect around 2029 would leave value on the table, which is why this remains more a market conversation than a true transaction watch, at least for now. [Read more 🡒]