Right-handed reliever Casey Sadler has been designated for assignment, per MLB.com’s Juan Toribio (via Twitter).
With two-way star Brendan McKay set to join the big league club for the first time today, the Rays had a roster move to make in order to accommodate the selection of McKay’s contract. McKay gets the start today against the Rangers at home.
Sadler’s DFA comes as a bit of a surprise, as he’s been an effective long reliever for the Rays. Of course, the Rays are flush with relievers, and given their dynamic bullpen management, turn left in Tampa and you’re bound to run into a reliever of Sadler’s ilk.
Still, Sadler appeared in 9 games for the Rays this season, soaking up 19 1/3 innings with a sterling 1.86 ERA. Other metrics are less gaudy, however, as he’s managed just 5.1 K/9 versus 2.3 BB/9 and a 4.32 FIP, 4.68 xFIP.
Sadler, 28, was drafted by the Pirates, for whom he appeared for brief stints in 2014, 2015, and 2018, accumulating 19 2/3 innings across those three seasons. Sadler doesn’t have swing-and-miss stuff, but as a guy who pitches to contact, he has a long track record of making it work in the minors, including this season when he has a 2.76 ERA for Triple-A. Should Sadler go unclaimed, the Rays would likely be happy to reassign him back to Durham, but it would not be a surprise at all to see another team take a chance on Sadler given his performance in Tampa.
I didn’t even know this guy existed until last year when he came up with the Pirates.
Pirates might as well pick him back up
Sadler will look good in his new Oriole uniform
If the Orioles pass, he won’t make it past the Tigers.
no, the Orioles only claim the Tayler Scotts of the world, not actually competent pitchers.
Tayler Scott K’d 12 per 9 in AAA this year and throws 95. I don’t know what you think floats out on the waiver wire but there aren’t many budding stars. That’s literally the type of guy that’s out there to take a shot in the dark on. They’ll probably give Sadler a shot and DFA Wotherspoon because they could use a fresh arm.
Sadler has been ripping up AAA this year (12.1 K/9 vs 1.4 BB/9). Also it seems like he does better when he isn’t trying to get so many groundballs. fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=11209&posi…
Saddler is better than half our pen arms NH get him back
Seriously….right? Most of the Pirates middle relievers don’t need a name on the back of their uni….we still have no idea who they are.
Welcome to the Orioles!
Hopefully the Mariners
One year, the Pirates SP depth got down to the #11 starter or something.
The two guys who came in and gave them a few solid outings were Casey Sadler and Brandon Cumpton (who tore his UCL after that and never really reappeared).
That was 3-5 years ago, so…took Sadler a while to reappear himself.
I googled him just yesterday before this happened and thought NH stupid to let him go so easily.
This is the kind of guy that good teams have for depth.
The Pirates really could have used him this year.He is better than two or three guys still on the roster.
Just because his numbers are not gaudy does not mean that he is not a decent pitcher.
It was as a shame about Cumpton but he came back with another team a couple of years ago but never made it back.
I hope NH maintains his Tampa Bay relationship and gets him back in a trade.He deserves a decent chance somewhere.
Rays depth is real. Sadler would be penciled in on most rosters
Red Sox?
“turn left…into a reliever. ”
Great phrase TC!
I guess Sadler is one of those pitchers who gets no analytical or scouting love because of the WAY he pitches, not his results.
Shame…..
the rangers will give you three fittty for him
Phillies…PLEASE offer up a trade…..