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.
In Other News...
Rays Move On From Pitcher Still Trying To Rebound From Surgery
The Rays have made another roster move involving a pitcher still working his way back from surgery, with right-hander Michael Grove claimed off waivers by Atlanta and sent to Triple-A Gwinnett. Tampa Bay had designated Grove for assignment earlier, and he had spent time pitching in both the majors and minors this season as he tried to regain his footing after the operation.
Atlantas interest was practical as much as anything else, coming as the Braves look for extra pitching depth amid injuries in their rotation. For Tampa Bay, it is another reminder of how quickly the back end of a roster can turn over, especially with pitchers who are still in the middle of a recovery and trying to prove they can hold up again at the big-league level. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Have One Clear Weak Spot In A Tight AL East Race
With 13 games left, the Rays are still in control of a tight AL East race, and the broader picture looks good enough that they can afford to focus on one nagging issue rather than panic over the standings. Junior Caminero has helped steady the lineup with his strong play, giving Tampa Bay a source of impact production as the club tries to close out the regular season with its division lead intact.
Cedric Mullins, though, has remained the obvious weak spot in an otherwise competitive group. The outfielder has not provided much offensively this season, sitting at .202 with a .626 OPS, and that kind of drag stands out more now that every game carries extra weight. Even with the Rays in a strong position, how much they can live with that production down the stretch could shape the final push. [Read more 🡒]
Joe Boyle Is Starting To Look Like A Rays Development Win
Joe Boyle arrived in Tampa Bay as part of the trade that sent Jeffrey Springs to Oakland, and the early returns are starting to look a lot like the kind of pitching project the Rays have made their reputation on. Boyle has tightened up his command since joining the club, and the changes go beyond simple mechanical cleanup. His delivery has been adjusted, his pitch mix has been refined, and the organization has helped him turn his cut-slider into a firmer offering that plays with more purpose.
The result has been a more efficient version of a pitcher who once fought his own strikes as much as the opposition. Boyles recent appearances have shown fewer walks and a better ability to get pitches into the zone, which is exactly the sort of progress Tampa Bay was hoping to unlock when it brought him in. There is still plenty of runway left here, but the early signs suggest the Rays may have found another arm worth developing. [Read more 🡒]