Rays to Sign LHP Jonny Venters, Etc

According to Jeff Todd (MLB Trade Rumors), the Tampa Bay Rays have signed former Braves LHP reliever Jonny Venters to a two-year minor league contract. Venters is currently recovering from his third Tommy John’s surgery –performed in September 2014, and the Rays will look to provide him with rehabilitation sources and bring him back slowly.

Rays Spring Training Update, Day 15: Rays Fall to Yankees 4-3; Karns’ Change-up, Injury Update, Colome Returns

Nathan Karns continued his bid for the fifth starter spot with a three inning, 49 pitch outing, relinquishing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk. Karns told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) was pleased to go three innings and get in work on his change-up; a pitch he wants to improve. His change, though not wholly consistent, was effective enough to get Carlos Beltran to whiff. In an ideal world, the outcome of that at-bat will resonate with Karns as a growth moment.

Rays Spring Training Update, Day 14: Rays Fall to Philly, 5-4; Injury Update

Chris Archer took the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday afternoon, in what amounted to a sloppy error filled game against the Philadelphia Phillies — sans any base runners until the fifth inning and no scoring until the eighth. Suffice it to say, it wasn’t pretty. Despite everything, there were a few bright spots.

Rays Spring Training Update, Day 13: Rays Tie Pirates 1-1; Brandon Guyer, John Jaso and Nick Franklin Injured

The Tampa Bay Rays walked away from Bradenton with a 1-1, extra inning tie against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday. There wasn’t much offensive production to speak of, save for a Steven Souza double in the fourth inning and an Evan Longoria double in the sixth — which the Rays couldn’t convert into runs — and an eighth inning solo shot off the bat of Corey Brown; the Rays only run of the game.

Rays Spring Training Update, Day 12: Rays Beat Twins, 2-1

The Tampa Bay Rays logged their first win of the Grapefruit League season Friday, edging out the Minnesota Twins by a 2-1 score. If you’re keeping count, the Rays are 1-0 in this year’s Knutson Classic. Jake Odorizzi started the game and worked a scoreless inning, Steven Souza racked up his first RBI as a Ray — the first of many — and Kevin Kiermaier got another assist in his second consecutive game. A few highlights follow.