The Rays announced four roster moves, including the selection of Javy Guerra’s contract and the call-up of infielder/outfielder Jonathan Aranda from Triple-A Durham. Outfielder Josh Lowe has been placed on the family medical emergency list and right-hander Elvin Rodriguez has been designated for assignment.
Aranda will get his first MLB opportunity of the season, and a chance to follow up on his 32 games played in his 2022 rookie season. The 25-year-old hit .192/.276/.321 over 87 plate appearances last year, and it becoming clear that Aranda has nothing left to prove at the Triple-A level. Over 784 PA in Durham over the last two seasons, Aranda has crushed the ball to the tune of a .327/.418/.548 slash line with 34 home runs.
Beginning his career as a second baseman, Aranda has followed the path of many Rays prospects and become a multi-positional threat, getting a lot of playing time at third base, first base, left field, and a bit of shortstop time. This gives manager Kevin Cash some flexibility in trying to figure out where to slot Aranda around the diamond, though it remains to be seen how long he’ll remain in the majors — hopefully Lowe returns quickly from his family situation, and Aranda could again be the odd man out.
Due to the Rays’ position-player depth at both the MLB and minor league levels, Aranda has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate if there’s no regular spot for him on Tampa’s roster. Depending on how long he remains in the majors, this stint could serve as something of an audition for rival scouts in advance of the trade deadline, though it’s safe to assume that other teams have had eyes on Aranda in Durham for quite some time.
Not to be confused with 11-year MLB veteran reliever Javy Guerra, the Rays’ Guerra is the 27-year-old who converted to pitching after being a top-100 shortstop prospect during his time in the Padres’ farm system. The Rays acquired Guerra from the Brewers in late April and he has a 3.60 ERA over five innings with Tampa Bay this season, though he was outrighted off the 40-man roster in May.
Guerra chose to accept the outright assignment to Triple-A rather than test free agency, and his 5.94 ERA over 16 2/3 innings in Durham isn’t quite reflective of his performance, given his secondary metrics. His 23% strikeout rate and 9.5% walk rate aren’t spectacular, though his 58.3% grounder rate has been hurt by some unfortunate batted-ball luck, as Guerra has a .340 BABIP.
Bullpen churn is a staple of Tampa Bay’s pitching strategies, and Rodriguez hits the DFA wire just a day after being selected to the 26-man roster. He looked very sharp in throwing 3 1/3 perfect innings in the Rays’ 2-1 loss to the Braves, but Rodriguez is now on his way out of the organization altogether, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Rodriguez will be released so he can sign with a team in Japan. Somewhat curiously, this plan was in place before Rodriguez had his contract selected yesterday, but fortunately it looks like Rodriguez avoided any injury and got to bank a big league appearance before heading to Nippon Professional Baseball.
Rodriguez’s first seven MLB games came with the Tigers in 2022, when he posted a 10.62 ERA over 29 2/3 innings. The Rays signed him to a minors deal in the offseason, but without a long-term spot available in Tampa Bay, the 25-year-old Rodriguez chose to take what Topkin calls “a lucrative offer” from an NPB club.
All hands on deck, The Tampa Bay Rays are taking on water.
Rays management after the game:
Wow incredible pitching 3.1 scoreless innings against the best team in baseball! Anyways we’re gonna have to let you go.
We hope you understand, enjoy free agency, kthxbye.
Yeah I was impressed by the kid.
No space on 40 man for Rodriquz , but plent of room for Beeks,Yonni, javy guerra,criswell Patino,Thompson.ok
He had a pre-arranged deal with the Japanese club. The Rays are just honoring his commitment. Had nothing to do with them just cutting him.
Yes i know, i can read. My point was they could of given him a chance before he signed. But instead they kept giving those dogs chance after chance.
People complaining about Rays’ management and/or moves makes me LOL.
100% put that team In Montreal & they are selling out every night embarrassing
Just like they didnt do when the expos were winning 100+ games per year? That ship has sailed chief!
Should have been another position player move made by the Rays. Ever since they scored 6 runs in the last game against Seattle the Rays have gone 8 innings or more between scoring runs. Last night they put up 8 straight 0s & against the Phillies they did that twice (1st & last game).
Best of luck to the young Rodriguez. It sounds like this was the way he wanted it, hopefully he finds success in Japan and make it back into the States as a pro ball player.
Orioles pass the Rays before the end of the month. Who says no?
If they aquire starting pitching and playing better and the rays stand pat yes, otherwise no
The Os are beginning to make unforced errors whereas for the last year they, pressured opponents into making mistakes.
Looks like Paredes is back to not paying everyday. If you’re a fantasy player with Tampa Bay guys on your team it’s frustrating to figure out their lineup each day
Rays down 4-0. No runs scored in 11 innings straight. This game is over. I almost did not renew my Rays season tickets for this year due to their anemic offense last season. Now that thar anemic offense is back I might as well not renew for next season.
Trevor Brigden deserves a look soon..