Wesley Wright pitching for the Astros in 2009.
Wesley Wright pitching for the Astros in 2009.

(Update) The Rays have optioned Josh Lueke back to Triple-A Durham to make room for Wesley Wright on the 25-man roster.

The Tampa Bay Rays claimed LHP reliever Wesley Wright off waivers Monday, reports Marc Topkin. The now former Astros reliever will join the Rays Tuesday, while a corresponding move is expected to come down the pike shortly. Wright was presumably let go for salary concerns — he was the highest paid Astro on staff at $1.15M this season, and was acquired for cash considerations.

Wright, 28, has career 4.44 ERA in parts of six seasons with the Astros, averaging a strikeout per inning. He sported a 57.1% and 54.9% ground ball rate since 2011, though that number had dropped to 47.2% preceding his waiver.

Per Daniel Russell of DRaysBay,

“Wright is a breaking ball pitcher that features a 91 MPH sinker and 83 MPH slider, with the latter pitch the most whiff worthy of the two, including 10 swings and misses in the month of August. He owns a five pitch mix, dabbling with a four-seamer at 91 MPH (which he transitioned away from relying upon in 2011), a 79 MPH 11-5 curve, and an 85 MPH change.”

 

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