Injuries & Moves: Culberson signed to Minors deal
The Rays roster strikes and damage updates web page can be up to date all through the offseason.
Feb. 9: INF/OF Charlie Culberson signed to Minors deal; RHP Graham Spraker invited to camp
The Rays signed infielder/outfielder Culberson to a Minor League contract with an invite to Major League Spring Training. Last season with Texas, Culberson slashed .252/.283/.357 in 68 video games.
The Rays additionally invited Spraker to Major League Spring Training. Pitching for the Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate final season, the 27-year-old appeared in 29 video games, fanning 44 over 37 1/3 innings.
These newest invitations elevated the Rays’ spring roster to 78 gamers: 43 pitchers, eight catchers, 15 infielders and 12 outfielders.
Feb. 2: Invited Minor League C Roberto Alvarez, OF Jordan Qsar to Major League Spring Training
With a bigger and longer spring camp in retailer as a result of World Baseball Classic, the Rays continued to develop their Spring Training roster by including Alvarez and Qsar. The newest spherical of non-roster invitees brings Tampa Bay’s roster to 75 gamers: 41 pitchers, eight catchers, 14 infielders and 12 outfielders.
Alvarez, 23, slashed .248/.308/.315 and went homerless in 66 video games, 61 of them spent behind the plate, for Double-A Montgomery final season. The 27-year-old Qsar, a Twenty fifth-round choose within the 2018 Draft out of Pepperdine University, slashed .227/.321/.452 with 17 homers and 7 triples over 102 video games for Montgomery and Triple-A Durham final 12 months.
Feb. 1: Invited Minor League OF Tristan Peters, C Logan Driscoll to Major League Spring Training
The Rays acquired Peters from the Giants in November for infield prospect Brett Wisely. The 22-year-old outfielder, Tampa Bay’s No. 20 prospect in keeping with MLB Pipeline, slashed .279/.363/.433 with eight homers and 18 steals over 124 video games between High-A Wisconsin and Double-A Richmond final season. Peters doesn’t have a ton of energy for a corner-outfield prospect, however he has a excessive ground on account of his superior method, sturdy plate protection and good left-handed swing.
Driscoll, 25, was the Padres’ second-round choose within the 2019 MLB Draft. The Rays acquired him alongside Manuel Margot in a February 2020 commerce with the Padres for reliever Emilio Pagán. Driscoll has performed simply 117 video games over the previous two years whereas making three journeys to the injured record, however he’s produced a .264/.353/.437 slash line within the Minors and spent most of his time behind the plate whereas additionally enjoying proper subject and first base. Now, he and Peters will get an opportunity to work with the Rays’ massive league teaching employees throughout Spring Training.
Two have been gamers signed to Minor League contracts that included invites to camp: catcher Gavin Collins and right-hander Jaime Schultz. Collins, 27, spent the final two seasons enjoying for Cleveland’s Triple-A Columbus affiliate and has hit .246/.321/.389 throughout six Minor League seasons. Schultz, 31, was drafted by the Rays in 2013 and debuted for Tampa Bay in ’18. He final pitched for the Mariners’ Triple-A membership in 2021 earlier than sitting out final season on account of an indirect damage.
The Rays additionally invited three of their very own prospects: left-hander Joe LaSorsa, right-hander Anthony Molina and nook infielder Austin Shenton. LaSorsa, 24, had a 2.33 ERA in 73 1/3 innings over 40 appearances for High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery final season. Molina, 21, went 14-2 with a 3.10 ERA in 95 2/3 innings over 29 outings for Single-A Charleston and Bowling Green final 12 months. Shenton, acquired from Seattle together with JT Chargois within the July 2021 deal for Diego Castillo, took a step again on the plate for Montgomery final season, hitting .236/.338/.415 in 52 video games a 12 months after slashing .295/.398/.549 in 80 video games.
2B Brandon Lowe (decrease again discomfort)
Expected return: Spring Training 2023
The Rays formally shut Lowe down for the season on Sept. 24 on account of irritation in his decrease again, the place a stress response and different accidents restricted him to 55 video games final season. But supervisor Kevin Cash and president of baseball operations Erik Neander mentioned throughout the Winter Meetings that Lowe would have a “normal offseason,” placing him on monitor for a wholesome 2023. (Last up to date: Dec. 8)
RHP Shane Baz (Tommy John surgical procedure)
Expected return: 2024
After making an attempt to rehab his sprained elbow by means of the summer time, Baz nonetheless felt flawed when throwing a 15-pitch bullpen session on Sept. 24. Baz underwent profitable Tommy John surgical procedure on Sept. 28, the end result they’d hoped to keep away from since his final begin on July 10. That formally dominated out the previous high prospect for the remainder of 2022 and all of subsequent season, with a return doubtless in 2024. (Last up to date: Oct. 12)
RHP Andrew Kittredge (Tommy John surgical procedure)
Expected return: Mid/late 2023
Kittredge underwent Tommy John surgical procedure on June 22. That will knock out the precious right-hander properly into 2023. The ’21 All-Star was positioned on the 15-day IL on June 9 with a unfastened physique in his throwing elbow. (Last up to date: Oct. 12)
RHP Ryan Thompson (stress response in proper elbow)
Expected return: Spring Training 2023
The Rays introduced on Sept. 14 that Thompson was identified with a stress response in his proper elbow after feeling discomfort whereas throwing. Thompson is predicted to be prepared for Spring Training. (Last up to date: Oct. 12)
