The Rays have designated outfielder Jerry Sands and infielder Vince Belnome for assignment, according to a team press release. Sands and Matt Moore were activated off the 60-day DL, and Belhome’s DFA creates a spot for Moore on Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster.
Sands was claimed off waivers from the Pirates last offseason. He only appeared in 12 games with the Rays due to wrist surgery in July. Sands, 27, has a .689 OPS over 273 Major League PA with the Rays and Dodgers since 2011.
Belnome was a 28th-round draft pick of the Padres in 2009 and he made his Major League debut with the Rays in 2014, making 14 plate appearances over four games. He has primarily played first base during his career, though he has also seen lots of time at second and third. The 26-year-old Belnome has a strong .289/.402/.459 slash line over 2613 career PA in the minors.
According to the MLB Trade Rumors DFA Tracker, Sands and Belnome join John Axford and Jeanmar Gomez in ’DFA Limbo.’
Trading away Jerry Sands was the silver lining for the Dodgers in their trade for Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, and Carl Crawford. He at least had value then, as “a player to be named later”.
Sands had good ABs and always had solid contact from what I remember of this past season. I prefer him rather than some of the other RH who were trotted out day after day such as Myers.
I hope someone picks Jerry up this winter