The Rays have designated infielder/outfielder Wyatt Mathisen for assignment, per a club announcement. His spot on the roster will go to top prospect Wander Franco, whose previously announced promotion to the Major Leagues has now been made official with this move.
Tampa Bay acquired Mathisen, 27, from the D-backs earlier this year in a deal that sent cash back to Arizona. He’s yet to appear in a game for the Rays but has had a productive 18-game stint with Triple-A Durham, batting .288/.344/.525 with three homers and five doubles. Mathisen has been a solid batter in parts of three Triple-A campaigns but is a .159/.298/.290 hitter in a small sample of 84 plate appearances at the MLB level — all with the D-backs.
Mathisen began his pro career as a catcher but hasn’t played there since appearing with the Pirates’ A-ball club in 2013. He’s logged time at second base and at all four corner positions in the Diamondbacks organization over the past few seasons and still has a pair of minor league options remaining. Given his Triple-A track record, defensive versatility and the fact that he has a pair of minor league options remaining, Mathisen could well appeal to another club in need of depth. The Rays will have a week to trade him or attempt to pass him through outright waivers.
Mathisen is a prototypical KBO player
He’s Yandy Diaz with out the walks or the guns
I’d gamble he may win in a foot race at least.