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Rays Roster Moves: it’s non-tender deadline day (updated)

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According to The Athletic, fan-favorite Ji-Man Choi is on the non-tender bubble.

Update: The 2020 MLB non-tender deadline has come to pass, and the Rays, somewhat surprisingly — given an infield log-jam, the desire to add pitching, and a (previously) full 40-man roster — opted to tender the contracts of the seven below-listed players. Tampa Bay’s front office did free up one spot on the 40-man roster when it chose not to offer a contract to right-hander Edgar Garcia, who was not yet eligible for arbitration. Tampa Bay acquired Garcia for a player to be named later in August after the Phillies designated him for assignment, although he was hit hard over a small sample of work.

It bears mentioning that just because a player’s contract has been tendered, that does not necessarily mean that they will be on the Opening Day roster. If a player carries a significant value — value that would be lost by opting not to tender their contract — they could later be used in a trade to fill a need. For example, last season the Rays tendered the contract of Tommy Pham, who was traded to San Diego shortly thereafter.

Neil Solondz also noted that “in addition, the contracts are not guaranteed. For instance, if a player is DFA’ed more than 20 days before the start of the season, the team would only be responsible for one-sixth of that individual’s salary. If the move comes within 20 days of the season and before Opening Day, that number jumps to about a fourth of the deal. Had the Rays not worked out deals, 2018 decisions on Corey Dickerson and Jake Odorizzi would have fit in this category.”

While the initial impression of satisfaction with the current roster may have been given, by offering contracts to the seven arbitration-eligible players, there is still work to be done in order to add the pieces which would make the team competitive once again in 2021.

It’s MLB non-tender deadline day, and the Tampa Bay Rays, who reportedly are seeking starting pitching — and thus would need to create roster space — have until 8:00 PM to make some tough decisions. All teams will determine whether they will offer their pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players a contract offer for next season. And while they don’t have to sign their players before the deadline, they do have to make an offer. Players who do not receive a contract offer are considered “non-tendered” and become free agents. 

The Rays currently have seven players (listed below) that could be free-agents by 8:01 PM tonight. As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) writes, “the seven players … will earn from $13.6–20 million in 2021 if they all are tendered. Add in the approximately $32.2 million that four players under contract are to receive (Kevin Kiermaier, Brandon Lowe, Blake Snell, and Yoshi Tsutsugo and that’s about $45.8–52.2 million for 11 players. Several others would make near the minimum (ie — Willy Adames, Austin Meadows, etc) but there are still several areas still to improve upon in order to upgrade next year’s version of the Rays from a team that went to the World Series to one that can win it.”

The seven players and their 2021 projected salaries (courtesy of MLB Trade Rumors) follow:

  • Jose Alvarado — $1-1.1-Million
  • Yonny Chirinos — $1.6-1.8-Million
  • Ji-Man Choi — $1.6-2.1-Million
  • Tyler Glasnow — $2.8-5.1-Million
  • Manuel Margot — $2.8-3.6-Million
  • Joey Wendle — $1.6-2.7-Million
  • Ryan Yarbrough — $2.2-3.6-Million

It is worth noting that due to the truncated 60-game season, the salaries are ranges because it is not entirely evident how values would be determined if a hearing was to take place.

Charlie Morton signs with Atlanta, Rays are open to the idea of trading Blake Snell

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I, too, am teary-eyed. Thanks for everything, Charlie.

A day after the Tampa Bay Rays made waves by informing other teams they are open to the idea of trading left-hander Blake Snell (more on that below), the team was dealt a major blow when Atlanta announced it inked a one-year, $15-million deal with right-hander Charlie Morton. Mark Feinsand (MLB.com) reported that Tampa Bay was the other finalist in Morton’s market.

The loss of Morton stings, especially given that his $15-million contract with Atlanta matches the sum for which the Rays could’ve retained him had they exercised his club option for the 2021 season. It would appear that Tampa Bay had hoped to keep the right-hander at a lesser rate for the upcoming season — MLB Trade Rumors projected Morton to receive an $8-million, one-year contract, albeit with the Mets. Morton now returns to the franchise that originally drafted him back in 2002.

The 37-year-old Morton battled shoulder fatigue and was limited to nine starts and 38 innings in 2020 while pitching to a 4.74 ERA. Yet, after his stint on the Injured List, he returned with improved velocity and a 3.72 ERA across his seven remaining regular-season starts, then went on to post a 2.70 ERA through 20 postseason innings. More than that, however, Morton was a leader in the Rays clubhouse, especially during the Covid-19 shortened season.

The question begs: How will Erik Neander fill Morton’s shoes?

The free-agent market is one option, with Cory Kluber (MLBTR projected $12-Million), Robbie Ray (MLBTR projected $6-Million), and Adam Wainwright (MLBTR projected $6-Million) still available and relatively reasonably priced. As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) also noted, the Rays could conceivably add multiple pitchers they believe they can tweak and take to another level. “That has been something they’ve done frequently with relievers, but it’s certainly not out of the question they could do so with potential starters.” Tampa Bay could also use some of their position player depth to help fill any gaps in the rotation. That would help add a veteran presence among the emerging arms that likely will be leaned upon, such as Shane McClanahan, Brent Honeywell, Joe Ryan, and Josh Fleming.

Solondz was also quick to remind that the Rays have bounced back from situations like this in the past.

Certainly, Erik Neander and the rest of the Rays front office have done the right things during their current climb. In the year they traded Evan Longoria and then Chris Archer in-season, Tampa Bay jumped to 90 victories.

The following year, the team unloaded popular Mallex Smith and CJ Cron after arguably his best season yet made the playoffs and won 96 games. Then the team traded Tommy Pham and Emilio Pagan and ended up in the World Series in 2020.

— Neil Solondz

In short, while this stings, it’s still just November. With the dearth of players on what appears to be a very slow free-agent market, the Rays do have a few things that work in their favor, such as a winning environment, the clubhouse culture, and the lack of state income tax in the State of Florida.

As I alluded to above, the Rays have made it known that they are open to the idea of trading left-hander Blake Snell. Pay attention to the phrasing though: “open to the idea of” is clearly not the same as “actively looking to trade him.”

Tampa Bay recently inked a five-year, $50-Million extension with Snell before the 2019 season. However, the budget-conscious ball-club could move on from the southpaw if it receives an enticing enough offer. Snell still has three years and $39-Million left on that deal and is set to earn $10.5-Million in 2021, $12.5-Million in 2022, and $16-Million in 2023.

Snell, after receiving word of the news, mentioned that he is committed to Tampa Bay and would love the opportunity to remain with the Rays.

The club has made similar moves in the past with the trades of David Price, James Shields, Chris Archer, Evan Longoria, and Tommy Pham. But more often than not, the Rays front office first makes a proclamation that it is open to the idea of trading a player in order to test the waters of the market, then waits until there are two years of team control remaining in his contract before they pull the trigger on a deal. And based on the kind of returns the Rays would expect if they were to trade Snell, don’t expect any team to emphatically say “yes” to the opportunity of looking like the next Pittsburgh Pirates.

At any rate, JT Morgan (DRaysBay) wrote an excellent piece on what the Rays could get in return from the three likeliest teams that could cobble together a deal for Snell: the Seattle Mariners, the Los Angeles Angels, and the San Diego Padres. You can read that article here.

For what it’s worth, given the amount of instability in Tampa Bay’s pitching corps, it would make more sense to hold onto Snell for the time being, which I’m sure Neander is well aware of. Then again, when have your feelings ever factored into the team’s financial decisions?

Rays add three prospects to the 40-man roster, DFA Renfroe and O’Grady

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The Tampa Bay Rays designated OF Hunter Renfroe for assignment on Friday.

As the deadline to add players to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 draft came to pass on Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays busily added OF Josh Lowe, RHP Drew Strotman, and INF Taylor Walls to the roster. To create room on the 40-man roster, the Rays designated OF Hunter Renfroe and UTL Brian O’Grady for assignment.

Renfroe was acquired in the 2019 Tommy Pham deal. The 28-year-old added power (.238 ISO) and solid defense as touted, yet he also posted career lows in batting average (.156), OBP (.252), SLG (.393), and wOBA (.307).

VP of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix said the decision to DFA Renfroe — who was likely to be non-tendered — was similar to the decision to designate Matt Duffy a year ago, in that the move gives Renfroe a head start on the free-agent market as opposed to being non-tendered in early December.

There’s only so much playing time to go around. At this point, we weren’t able to commit to him, and we figured it was best for everyone involved to let him get into the free-agent market at this point rather than waiting until the non-tender deadline.

— Peter Bendix

The team still has Kevin Kiermaier, Austin Meadows, Randy Arozarena, and Miguel Margot, along with Yoshi Tsutsugo and Brett Phillips. Plus, the above mention Lowe is considered to be a good outfielder.

O’Grady was added in a trade with Cincinnati last November and spent the majority of the 2020 season in Port Charlotte, at the Rays alternate training site. He was recalled twice last season — August 4-5, and August 29-September 1 — and collected two hits in five at-bats.

It is possible the Rays could work out a trade for both players.

Lowe was Tampa Bay’s top draft pick in 2016 and was part of the 60-man player pool in 2020. Lowe was fantastic with Double-A Montgomery in 2019, slashing .252 BA/.341 OBP/.442 SLG/.783 OPS/.358 wOBA with a 128 wRC+. He was just two home runs shy of being a 20-20 player and finished the season with career bests in runs scored (70), homers (18), runs batted in (62), and stolen bases (30). Lowe played well in the Arizona Fall League in 2019, before he underwent shoulder surgery and would have missed the early portion of the schedule.

Strotman was a wildcard (of sorts) to be added in that he needed Tommy John surgery shortly after he made his professional debut in 2018. In 2019, he pitched just 24 rehab innings in the Gulf Coast League, as well as 21 innings in the Arizona Fall League.

He, however, reportedly looked good in the recently-completed Instructional League, where he showed a mid-90s fastball and added a much-improved cutter.

He was really able to show a lot of promise. (The cutter) has graded out at as a really strong pitch.

— Peter Bendix

Walls was part of Spring Training prior to the pandemic lock-down, as well as part of the 60-man player pool all summer. The 24-year-old has been a steady performer over the last two seasons. Walls was named the organization’s top defender in the minors twice, while his offensive abilities continue to improve. The switch-hitting Walls slashed .270 BA/.343 OBP/.452 SLG/.795 OPS with a career-high 10 home runs and 28 steals (albeit in 43 attempts) in 2019. As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) wrote, “There are many that believe he can be a good MLB regular either at one position or rotated through several spots.”

The Rays 40-man roster is currently full.

Rays World Series game one notes

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Hello world, meet Tyler Glasnow. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After two well deserved days off — well, at least for the Rays — the top two big-league ball clubs will kick off the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field tonight in Arlington, TX. Tampa Bay and Los Angeles had the top two records during the regular season.

The Rays are appearing in their second-ever World Series and seeking their first-ever title. Meanwhile, the Dodgers now have reached the Fall Classic three times in four years, although they haven’t won a title in 31 years.

After playing their last 10 playoff games in Arlington, the Dodgers have familiarity with Globe Life Park. On the other hand, the Rays are familiar with playing on turf and had a workout on Monday.

The two teams split four regular-season games last year.

The Rays set their roster earlier today, which we wrote about in the series preview (linked below).

TNWN: Rays vs. Dodgers — a World Series preview

The New What Next

Tyler Glasnow (2-1, 4.66 ERA) will get the start Tuesday night, pitching opposite of Clayton Kershaw (2-1, 3.32 ERA).

Tyler Glasnow got the start on Wednesday and he was good, but not great. The right-hander allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five on 96 pitches (55 strikes, 57% strike rate, 20% SwStr). Glasnow allowed a first-inning solo shot and an RBI double in the third inning to Jose Altuve, and a two-run blast to George Springer on a 99 mph, 3-1 fastball with the game scored knotted up at two in the bottom of the fifth. Yet, he also limited the damage by inducing weak contact and six ground balls. It was a rare power outburst against a hurler that maintained a 1.73 HR/9 in 2020 (and a 0.59 HR/9 in 2019). Glasnow enters his next start — assuming the Rays move on to the World Series — with a 4.66 ERA, 5.88 FIP, 1.29 WHIP, and a 3.1 K/BB across 19-1/3 playoff innings.

Clayton Kershaw surrendered four runs on seven hits and one walk over five-plus innings in game four of the NLCS. He struck out four. Kershaw only gave up a solo homer to Marcell Ozuna during his outing, although he allowed a single and back-to-back doubles to start the sixth before being removed. It should be noted that the southpaw has not been healthy, as he has been dealing with some back issues. Kershaw is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in two career starts against Tampa Bay, however, he maintains a 4.31 postseason ERA extending back to 2008. The left-hander relies primarily on a hard 88 mph worm-killer slider and a 92 mph four-seam fastball which is straight as an arrow and has some added backspin, while also mixing in a 74 mph 12-6 curveball with exceptional bite.

Both the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

Rays 10/20/20 Starting Lineup

  1. Diaz 1B
  2. Lowe 2B
  3. Arozarena DH
  4. Renfroe RF
  5. Margot LF
  6. Wendle 3B
  7. Adames SS
  8. Kiermaier CF
  9. Zunino C

Noteworthiness

— The dude abides:

— Facepalm emoji.

— Nailed it:

TNWN: Rays vs. Yankees — an American League Division Series preview

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This motley crew will start the best of five AL Division Series against the Yankees in San Diego on Monday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Wildcard Series, as well as one last workout at Tropicana Field on Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays departed for Petco Park in San Diego, where they will face the division-rival New York Yankees in the best of five American League Division Series, starting Monday. The Yankees are coming off a series sweep against Cleveland.

The brief set against the Blue Jays exemplified Tampa Bay’s season. In the first game the Rays pitching staff — led by Blake Snell — limited Toronto to just one run, while the offense took advantage of a wild pitch for the first run of the contest before Manuel Margot hit his first career postseason home run in the bottom of the seventh. Then in game number two, Mike Zunino and Hunter Renfroe used the long ball to plate six runs in the second inning, as the Rays outpaced the Jays, 8-2. All told, Snell and Tyler Glasnow combined for 16 of the pitching staff’s total 26 punchouts across the two ball games.

The Yankees did as they are wont to do in their iteration of the Wildcard series: mash their way to victory against Cleveland while performing to a .653 SLG and a 1.062 OPS across 93 plate appearances, including 11 extra-base hits. But they also did something they’re accustomed to, strike out 24.7% of the time. You can expect the Rays hurlers to exploit that latent whiffiness this week. I know, I know … the Rays also have a lot of swing-and-miss in them. However — and as Brian Anderson regularly said throughout the season — because the Yankees are so dependent upon the long ball, they can be pitched to. The 22 combined runs against Cleveland, arguably, had more to do with a pitching staff that couldn’t keep the Evil Empire in the yard. In the regular season, Tampa Bay proved they can beat you with the long ball, they can beat you by playing small ball, and they can beat you on the mound.

It was another contentious season battle between a pair of rivals that have had a penchant for heated ball games extending all the way back to Spring Training 2008. This season, all the chirping and ill feelings toward one another resulted in the infamous 101 mph pitch at Mike Brosseau’s head which spawned the fabled Tampa Bay 98ers stable.

98ers Rays’ centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier summed things up well on Friday, saying,

With all the history that we’ve had the last couple years, it is what it is. I’ve said it many times: they don’t like us, we don’t like them, and it’s going to continue to stay that way. It’s going to be a very fun, energetic, exciting (series). And I know each team is going to want to try to put it to the opposition. I know that for a fact. So it’s going to be two great teams playing against each other. I know our guys are really excited, we’re ready to go. So I’m very confident. And we plan on having the same thoughts once we get out west and expecting to win that series.

— Kevin Kiermaier

New York’s entitled corps of players attempted to use fear and intimidation against Tampa Bay this season and, well … that strategy clearly was not a winning one. The Rays were neither fearful of, nor intimidated by, the Yankees in 2020. The division champs went 8-2 against the fourth-place seed who scuffled to a 4-6 record across the final 10 games of the season. What’s more, the Rays put up a +13 run differential against the Yanks in 2020, limited them to 13 total home runs, a .691 OPS, and a .117 batting average with runners in scoring position. Moreso, New York averaged 3.4 runs per game while Tampa Bay totaled 4.7 RPG in their meetings.

Because of all this, expect a tense and compelling series that will probably go all five games.

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash has committed to throwing Blake Snell (4-2, 3.24 ERA), Tyler Glasnow (5-1, 4.08 ERA), Charlie Morton (2-2, 4.74 ERA), and Ryan Yarbrough (0-4, 4.05 ERA). Aaron Boone will counter with Gerrit Cole (7-3, 2.84 ERA), Deivi Garcia (3-2, 4.98 ERA), Masahiro Tanaka (3-3, 3.56 ERA), and Jordan Montgomery (2-3, 5.11 ERA). I will update this piece when any changes are announced.

Blake Snell matched the franchise postseason record for the most strikeouts in a start over his 5-2/3 innings of work. Across the first five frames, the southpaw allowed just a two-out walk to Randal Grichuk the first inning and a one-out free pass to Teoscar Hernandez in the fifth that was erased on a double-play ground ball off the bat of Jonathan Villar. Snell struck out eight over that stretch.

Yet, Alejandro Kirk led off the sixth inning by lining a fastball to right for the first hit off Snell. Then number nine hitter Danny Jansen followed fly-ball out to right during a nine-pitch at-bat. Cavan Biggio struck out which ended up being the last batter Snell would face. He threw 82 pitches (48 strikes, 59% strike rate, 38% SwStr%) during his outing. Snell’s exit had more to do with an offense that struggled to put runs on the board, than anything having to do with the hurler’s efficacy or lack thereof. Had the Rays put more than one run on the board through the front six, Cash likely wouldn’t have turned to the bullpen. But that’s all speculation. Snell is 4-6 with a 4.31 ERA in 18 career starts against the Yankees, and 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in two starts against them in 2020. Of note, the left-hander limited right-handed hitters to a .733 OPS this season.

Gerrit Cole allowed two runs on six hits across seven innings on Tuesday, in Game 1 of the AL Wildcard round. He struck out 13 and did not issue a walk. Cole outdueled Shane Bieber in a game where everyone expected a pitchers’ duel, lasting seven frames. The Yankees’ ace threw 73 of his 105 pitches for strikes (70% strike rate) while fanning an impressive number of batters. The right-hander recorded a 2.84 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 3.89 FIP during the regular season. This season Cole went 0-1 with a 4.96 ERA against the Rays, including a five-inning four-run, eight-hit outing which included a pair of homers. Key Matchups: Ji-Man Choi (9-17, 3 2B, 3 HR), Yandy Díaz (5-15, HR), Manuel Margot (4-16, 2B)

Tyler Glasnow got the start on Wednesday and posted six innings of two-run baseball on six hits (including two solo homers) and one walk while striking out eight.

We showed the potential of what we can do on both sides of the ball. Obviously, in Game 1 we had Blake throw an absolute gem and we were able to scrape enough runs to win, and today showed the bats coming alive and Tyler allowing just two and the bullpen keeping it where it was. I think it just solidifies who we are as a team.

— Mike Zunino

After a 1-2-3 first, Glasnow worked around a pair of singles in the top of the second, yet without incurring any damage. Then, staked to a seven-run lead in the third inning, Danny Jansen launched a solo home run off the right-hander that left a dent in the catwalk above the left-field stands. Bo Bichette followed by earning a walk, but Glasnow buckled down and the Jays settled for just a run. In the fifth inning, Jansen blasted another lead-off solo shot yet that is all he would, or the Rays, allow. Glasnow finished his outing having thrown 86 pitches (55 strikes, 64% strike rate, 20% SwStr%). He held Toronto to 0-for-8 with four punchies with runners in scoring position.

It feels great. We had a bunch of confidence going into this. Everyone went out there with no pressure, just kind of loose like we’ve been all year. Especially in that second inning, just to watch the momentum and the adrenaline from the grand slam, it was a pretty special moment.

T

— Tyler Glasnow

Deivi Garcia struck out seven after allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk across 6-2/3 innings two Saturdays ago against the Marlins. The rookie right-hander allowed three runs on four hits during the third inning, but he otherwise did a good job of limiting the Marlins. Garcia finished his rookie campaign with a 4.98 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 5.5 K/BB over 27-2/3 innings. He relies primarily on a 92 mph four-seam fastball, while also mixing in an 81 mph changeup, a 76 mph curveball, and an 83 mph slider.

Charlie Morton got the start against the Phillies two Saturday’s ago and looked dominant from the beginning of his outing, allowing just a walk to Bryce Harper over the first two frames, while striking out four. However, that changed in the third.

Scott Kingery grounded a one-out single to centerfield, then stayed out of an inning-ending double play because he was in motion when Andrew McCutchen hit a grounder to third. Kingery moved up third on a wild pitch before Alec Bohm flicked a single to right, tying the game at one. Harper followed, slashing a ball down the right-field line for a triple/Little League homer. He also crossed the plate when Willy Adames’ relay throw got past Brosseau at third, putting the Phillies up by two.

Kingery struck again in the fifth. The infielder hit a one-out double to left-center before Bohm lined a single to right, moving Kingery up 90 feet. Harper plated a run on a single, his tenth consecutive plate appearance in which he had reached. Morton retired J.T. Realmuto on a groundout to end his outing. All told, Morton was charged with four runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out eight on 93 pitches (64 strikes, 69% strike rate, 22% SwStr%).

Masahiro Tanaka was knocked around in Game 2 of the American League Wildcard series against Cleveland, allowing six runs on five hits over four innings, while striking out and walking three. Most of the damage was done in the first inning in which five Cleveland hitters reached base and four come around to score. He later allowed the first two batters in the fifth inning to reach base, both of whom would come around to score after he was replaced by a reliever. Tanaka was hit or miss against Tampa Bay this season, allowing two runs or fewer in two outings, while allowing six runs (five earned) in another. Overall, Tanaka is 11-5 with a 3.31 ERA in 21 starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (6-21, 2 2B), Mike Brosseau (2-3, 2 2B), Kevin Kiermaier (12-39, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR), Austin Meadows (5-19, 2 2B), Mike Zunino (6-22, 2 2B, 2 HR)

Ryan Yarbrough will serve as the primary pitcher for Thursday’s contest against the Yankees and is expected to pitch the bulk of the innings. It isn’t yet known whether he will get the start or pitch behind an opener. In his final outing of the regular season, Yarbrough allowed no runs on three hits while striking out four across 3-1/3 innings against the Phillies. The left-hander has been very good even though his record may not reflect that, maintaining a 2.57 ERA and a 1.76 FIP, and a 0.00 HR/9. Over his career against the Yankees, Yarbrough is 3-2 with a 3.15 ERA in six starts (20 IP).

Jordan Montgomery allowed three runs on six hits across 5-1/3 innings against the Blue Jays on September 24. He struck out eight without walking a batter. The southpaw threw 88 pitches (60 strikes, 68% strike rate) in a solid outing, although he got outpitched by Hyun-Jin Ryu. Montgomery finished the regular season on a roll, posting a 4.02 ERA and an impressive 8 K/BB over his final three starts and 15-2/3 innings. The left-hander lasted all of 2/3 of an inning in his lone start against Tampa Bay this season, as he allowed four runs on five hits (including two home runs) and a walk on 39 pitches. All told, Montgomery is 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA in six career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-2, 2B), Randy Arozarena (1-1, HR), Michael Brosseau (1-1, HR), Yandy Diaz (1-2), Manuel Margot (1-1, 2B), Austin Meadows (2-2)

Noteworthiness

— The final ALDS roster decisions have been made and outfielder Austin Meadows (oblique strain) has been activated from the Injured List ahead of the series against the Yankees. In order to make room for Meadows, 1B/3B Nate Lowe has been left off the 28-man roster.

Image

— Cash also decided to carry 13 pitchers on the roster, the same as a week ago for the Wildcard series. LHP Shane McClanahan has once again cracked the roster. He was added to the 40-man and the playoff roster for the Wildcard round although he did not pitch. McClanahan’s first appearance would be his MLB debut. He can work multiple innings.

José Alvarado (lat strain) has not been activated, and left-hander Josh Fleming was again left off, suggesting that Blake Snell would pitch in a game five situation, or that the Rays would go with a bullpen game if there is a deciding contest.

— For once, the Rays will actually play prime-time baseball.