The Rays have claimed right-hander Zack Littell off of waivers from the Red Sox, according to Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe. The Rays have transferred Garrett Cleavinger to the 60-day IL to clear space on the 40-man roster for Littell, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
Littell, 27, was acquired by the Red Sox from the Rangers last week in exchange for cash considerations. In three innings of work with the Red Sox, Littell struggled, allowing 3 runs on four walks (one intentional) and three hits while striking out just two. An eleventh round pick by the Mariners in the 2013 draft, Littell made his debut for the Twins in 2018, pitching to a 4.52 ERA with the club in 63 2/3 innings over the course of the next three seasons.
The best season of Littell’s career to this point came in 2021, as a member of the Giants. In 61 2/3 innings of work that season, Littell posted a phenomenal 2.92 ERA (142 ERA+) with a 3.87 FIP. That season, Littell struck out a career-high 25% of batters faced while walking 9.5%. The then 25-year-old also posted a career high 46.9% groundball rate during the 2021 campaign. Unfortunately, Littell’s previous struggles returned in 2022, as he posted a 5.08 ERA in 44 1/3 innings with San Francisco.
Without options remaining, Littell figures to factor into the Rays’ bullpen that has posted the third best ERA in the majors as a group thanks to stellar performances from the likes of Jason Adam, Colin Poche, and Ryan Thompson in addition to Cleavinger, who is likely out for the season after suffering an ACL injury.
Figures.
Yes, yes. And pretty ugly figures of late.
I’m guessing Tampa knows a Littell about him to claim him.
2.92 is phenomenal?
Mick – Nick thinks readers here don’t know how good numbers are, so he makes it a point to tell us every time … and nearly every number is “phenomenal” or “fantastic” or “excellent” … because he says so. LOL!
More fresh meat
Littel is just the latest Rays claim that will be used for a week or so and be discarded like Anderson before him. It seems to work for them.
Churn and burn
30 teams
180 day season….
I would play 6 days for every MLB team at $4000 per day to make the $700,000+ MLB minimum….. 6 months of travel….6 months off…live the dream
Lmao…Damn I actually liked this one too
Buying more time – churn and burn
Zack Littell => Tampa Bay => Zack Greinke (prime)
He will be lights out now that he’s on the Rays.
Littell do they know…
The Rays will chew that motherf@#$%& and spit him out a week later