TODAY: The Rays have selected Belisario’s contract, Topkin tweets. That decision was likely made easier by the fact that the club burned through multiple arms in a tough game tonight. Indeed, to create roster space the club optioned C.J. Riefenhauser, who went 2 1/3 innings in the loss (after throwing in the two prior games).
YESTERDAY: Rays pitcher Ronald Belisario has triggered his opt-out clause, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports (Twitter links). The provision affords the club until Wednesday to decide whether to promote the reliever, per the report.
As Topkin notes, the veteran righty has thrown well at Triple-A and seems a reasonable bet to receive a promotion. Acting as the closer at Triple-A Durham, Belisario has racked up 17 saves with a 3.26 ERA and 5.3 K/9 against 2.7 BB/9 in 30 1/3 innings.
Belisario struggled last year with the White Sox, but has had success at times in prior years with the Dodgers. All said, he has thrown 331 1/3 big league innings, posting a 3.75 lifetime ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9.
rays play so many close games they need all the quaility reliecers they can get their hands on…