The Tampa Bay Rays inked a minor-league deal with right-hander Erasmo Ramírez on Tuesday.
The Tampa Bay Rays made a flurry of roster moves the last two days, inking a minor league deal with right-hander Erasmo Ramírez, reinstating RHP Zack Littell from the 15-Day Injured List, and optioning LHP Jalen Beeks to Triple-A Durham.
Ramírez is an old friend of the Rays, as the right-hander posted a 3.98 ERA across 323.1 innings with Tampa Bay from 2015-2017 before he was dealt to the Mariners ahead of the July 2017 trade deadline. Since the trade, Ramírez has become a journeyman, pitching for a handful of ball clubs over the last six seasons.
Ramírez most recently pitched for Washington from 2022-2023, first joining the Nationals on a minor league deal in the 2021-22 offseason. Following the acquisition, the hurler delivered a 2.92 ERA and a 4.05 FIP over 86.1 innings in 2022, with a 1.08 WHIP and a 4.36 K/BB. He had a much rougher time of things this season, resulting in a DFA. Prior to the acquisition, the right-hander put up a 6.33 ERA and a 5.24 FIP over 27 relief innings, with a diminished 10.3% strikeout rate (his lowest in any full season) — 7.7% under his career strikeout rate.
Currently, Ramírez relies primarily on an 89 mph cutter that has some natural sink and a 92 mph swing-and-miss sinker that has some natural sinking action, while also mixing in a hard 80 mph 12-6 curveball, an 85 mph changeup, and a 93 mph fourseam fastball that has heavy sinking action.
In arguably his best season in a Rays uniform, 2015 — when he maintained a 3.75 ERA and a 3.76 FIP, with a 1.13 WHIP, and a 3.15 K/BB across 163.1 innings — Ramírez relied primarily on his fourseamer (39.6% of the time), and changeup (23.2% of the time), while also mixing in his slider (16.6% of the time), and sinker (15.8% of the time)…something he deviated from over the years, favoring instead a two-pitch mix (sinker and cutter) over the last couple of seasons. If I was a guessing man, I’d reckon the righty will be encouraged to reincorporate a third or fourth pitch while he’s in Durham to make him less predictable, among other things.
While the results haven’t been there this season for the former Ray, the greener pastures of the friendly confines of the Trop might prove beneficial for Ramírez, given the team’s success at rejuvenating careers, not to mention their familiarity with the hurler’s repertoire. Getting a long reliever like Ramírez to eat innings and limit damage would benefit Tampa Bay as they try to get their bullpen on track for a stretch run.
Littell was claimed off waivers in May, and returns from what has been described as a “cranky shoulder.” He allowed three runs over 3.1 innings with Tampa Bay before landing on the 15-Day IL.
Meanwhile, Beeks will get the opportunity to get some work in after posting a career-high 5.82 ERA, and a 4.36 FIP which is 31 points north of his career numbers. The left-hander excelled in May, but a six-run outing against the Red Sox on June 3 was a low point for the hurler.
Two orange roofs against the second-best team in baseball this last weekend. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)
After taking two of three from the Rangers over the weekend, the Tampa Bay Rays make their way to the other Bay Area, where they will start a four-game series against the Athletics on Monday. The A’s swept the Brewers over the weekend.
At 48-20 on the season, the Rays enter play a season high tying 28 games over .500, and 5.5 games up on the second-place Orioles in the division.
Tampa Bay has played well over the last week, winning seven of eight contests while averaging 5.33 runs per game over that stretch; they are averaging 5.75 runs per game overall. The Rays saw an increase in their offensive productivity over the last seven days, slashing a .235 BA/.307 OBP/.425 SLG/.732 OPS line, with a 107 wRC+. And while that is significantly lower than their season averages, the Rays’ pitching staff came up big, allowing just 2.83 runs per game.
And while the Athletics have been the worst team in the game this season, they’ve won four of their last five contests. Granted Oakland is averaging 3.59 runs per game, and their .224 batting average is 29th in the league overall, however, over the last week they’ve put up a healthy .284 BA/.396 OBP/.471 SLG/.867 OPS slash line, with a 150 wRC+ over the last seven days.
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has been one of the best in the league, with the team surrendering 3.70 runs per game. Opponents have a .225 batting average against the Rays, which is third in the league. Meanwhile, their combined 3.58 ERA (and 4.07 FIP) is also third, as is their 1.21 WHIP. The bullpen is getting back to where we all expect it to be, maintaining a 2.87 ERA and a 4.21 FIP over the last 14 days, with a 1.23 WHIP, and a 2.00 K/BB.
On the other hand, Oakland’s pitching hasn’t been very good, with the team serving up 6.56 runs per game. Opponents have a healthy .274 batting average against the Athletics, while their 6.40 ERA (and 5.67 FIP) is 30th, as is their 1.60 WHIP.
The Rays are 3-0 against the Athletics this season and have outscored them 31-5.
Pitching Probables
Over the next four days, Kevin Cash will turn to Zach Eflin (8-1, 2.97 ERA, 3.55 FIP), Yonny Chirinos (3-1, 2.60 ERA, 4.57 FIP), Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 2.87 ERA, 3.72 FIP), and Taj Bradley (4-3, 4.19 ERA, 2.94 FIP). Mark Kotsay will counter with Jamie Kaprielian (1-6, 7.21 ERA, 5.77 FIP), Hogan Harris (1-0, 6.46 ERA, 4.51 FIP), Luis Medina (1-5, 7.53 ERA, 6.65 FIP), and Paul Blackburn (0-0, 3.60 ERA, 3.27 FIP)
Zach Eflin allowed three hits and a walk over 6.2 scoreless innings against Minnesota on Tuesday. He struck out nine. The Twins had no answer for Eflin, who logged nine or more strikeouts for the third time this season. The right-hander improved to 7-0 at the Trop, with a 1.85 ERA while pitching to a 5.09 ERA on the road. Overall, his ERA and FIP sit at an impressive 2.97 and 3.55 FIP (respectively), with a 0.96 WHIP, and 7.33 K/BB through 11 starts (66.2 frames). Eflin is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two career starts against the Athletics.
James Kaprielian allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and five walks over six innings against the Pirates on Tuesday. He struck out one. Kaprielian matched his season best in earned runs allowed as a starter but also set a season low with just one punchy. Through eight starts this year he has a 6.59 ERA and a 5.77 FIP, with a 1.44 K/BB, and a 1.76 WHIP across 42 innings. In his last start against Tampa Bay, Kaprielian surrendered seven runs on seven hits including three homers over 4.2 innings.
Yonny Chirinos allowed one run on five hits over 5.2 innings against Minnesota on Thursday. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Chirinos was steady over 5.2 frames with the exception of a leadoff homer he surrendered to Carlos Correa in the fourth after hanging a slider in the middle of the zone. He followed up that mistake with back-to-back punchouts and would allow only one more hitter to reach base before being relieved by Jake Diekman in the sixth. The right-hander posted a season-high four strikeouts and did not walk a batter for the first time since April 29. Overall, Chirinos maintains a 2.60 ERA and a 4.57 FIP on the season, with a 0.95 WHIP, and a 1.36 K/BB across 34.2 innings. He is 0-0 with a 3.63 ERA in three career outings (two starts) against the Athletics.
Hogan Harris allowed three runs on four hits and three walks over five innings against the Pirates. He struck out two. It wasn’t a dominant outing from the hurler, although he did enough to earn his first career win after the A’s jumped out to a seven-run lead. After a rough debut in April, Harris has pitched to a 3.00 ERA in three outings (15 innings) since he was recalled from Triple-A. Overall, he maintains a 6.46 ERA and a 4.51 FIP, with a 1.30 WHIP, and a 1.33 K/BB over 15.1 innings. Harris relies primarily on a whiffy 93 mph fourseam fastball, while also mixing in an 80 mph changeup that has slight arm-side fade, a 91 mph cutter that has good “rise”, and a 76 mph worm-killer curveball that has exceptional bite. He has never faced the Rays.
Tyler Glasnow allowed one run on one hit and three walks over six innings against Texas on Friday. He struck out six on 84 pitches (55 strikes, 65% strike rate). The only hit Glasnow allowed was a solo shot, as he cruised through a season-high six innings en route to his first win. The right-hander is still ramping up after missing the first two months of the 2023 campaign, although he’s been relatively sharp across his first three turns, posting a 2.87 ERA and a 3.72 FIP, with a 1.09 WHIP. The right-hander has walked six batters over his past two starts, and while he’s been able to limit the damage, his command is certainly something to watch moving forward. Glasnow is 1-1 with a 2.13 ERA in two career starts against Oakland.
Luis Medina allowed two runs on three hits and three walks over five innings Friday, striking out six against the Brewers. Coming in after opener Sam Moll’s scoreless first frame, Medina allowed two runs in the second followed by four shutout innings. The two runs were the fewest given up by Medina in any outing this season. He now holds a 7.53 ERA and a 6.65 FIP, with a 1.88 K/BB through 34.2 innings. Medina relies primarily on a 96 mph fourseam fastball that has some natural sinking action, while also mixing in a whiffy 85 mph slider that has some two-plane movement, an 80 mph swing-and-miss curveball that has a sharp downward bite, and a firm 88 mph worm-killer changeup that has slight arm-side fade. He has never faced the Rays.
Taj Bradley allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out four batters over 3.2 innings on Saturday. This was the shortest outing through eight big-league starts for Bradley, who came into the contest having allowed just two earned runs over his previous 10.2 frames. The right-hander was largely responsible for his own demise Saturday, as he walked a season-high four batters, three of whom came around to score.
In all fairness, though, home plate umpire Carlos Torres’ strike zone was hot, wet trash on Saturday. And hadn’t he called two second-inning strikeouts walks instead, we may not be talking about the damage against the right-hander. At any rate, Bradley issued just five free passes across his first 30 innings, but he’s walked seven over his subsequent 8.2 frames. Overall, he maintains a 4.19 ERA and a 2.94 FIP, with a 1.27 WHIP, and a 4.33 K/BB on the season.
Paul Blackburn allowed four hits and one walk over six scoreless innings against Milwaukee. He struck out five. Blackburn completed a season-high six innings and notched his first scoreless outing of the season. The 29-year-old’s 2023 debut was delayed due to a finger injury, so he’s made only three starts thus far with mixed results. He held Atlanta’s offense to just one run on four hits over four innings and struck out a season-high six, but he fell flat versus Miami, giving up five runs with a 1.5 K/BB across five innings. Overall, he maintains a 3.60 ERA and a 3.27 FIP, with a 1.33 WHIP, and a 2.80 K/BB across 15.0 innings. Blackburn relies primarily on a 92 mph sinker, while also mixing in an 87 mph cutter that has heavy sink and extreme cutting action, a whiffy 92 mph fourseam fastball that has some natural sinking action, a 79 mph 12-6 curveball that has exceptional bite, an 80 mph slider that sweeps across the zone, and an 86 mph changeup that has some natural sink to it. He is 1-0 with a 2.86 ERA in two career starts against the Rays.
Noteworthiness
— On Sunday, the Rays recalled right-hander Ryan Thompson from Triple-A Durham, and optioned left-hander José Lopez as the corresponding move. Thompson put up a 2.25 ERA and a 1.80 FIP across 4.0 innings in Durham, with a 6.75 K/BB and a 1.25 WHIP.
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The Rays have selected the contract of left-hander José Lopez. (Photo Credit: Durham Bulls)
The Tampa Bay Rays have selected the contract of left-hander José Lopez ahead of Saturday’s contest. In corresponding moves, right-hander Luis Patiño was optioned to Triple-A Durham while left-hander Josh Fleming was transferred to the 60-day Injured List.
Lopez was selected by San Diego in the Rule 5 draft this past offseason but was returned to the Rays prior to Opening Day when he did not break camp with the Padres.
Lopez put together a successful 2022 campaign that saw him post a 2.43 ERA across three minor league levels (59.1 innings of work), although most of his work came primarily at Double-A Montgomery. Last season, Lopez put up a 14.4 K/9 with more walks (38) than hits (35).
He, however, hasn’t been able to replicate last season’s success at the Triple-A level this season, as he maintains a 5.19 ERA across 26 frames. It should be noted, though, that his ERA is belied by a substantially better 3.47 FIP. He boasts a solid 23.1% K% — a figure that, however, is bogged down by an unsightly 11.1% BB%.
The left-hander’s fastball velocity sits in the 94 mph range and touches 97 mph. He could experience a spike in velocity in a full-time relief role. He also leans on a good slider that could be an above-average weapon if he added a little more velocity to the offering, as well as a changeup.
Lopez will join fellow left-handers Jake Diekman, Jalen Beeks, and Colin Poche.
Harold Ramírez two-run laser shot in Thursday’s gave the Rays the edge they needed to defeat the Twins, 4-2. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
After sweeping the Minnesota Twins, the Tampa Bay Rays will welcome the Texas Rangers into the Trop Friday, in what could be viewed as a preview of the 2023 postseason. The Rangers took two of three from the Cardinals in their most recent series.
At 46-19 on the season, the Rays enter play a season-high 27 games above .500, and 6.5 games up on the second-place Orioles in the AL East. The Rangers enter play 40-21, 5.0 games up on the second-place Astros in the AL West.
In a rebuttal of the critics that say “Tampa Bay doesn’t play anyone,” since the start of May, the Rays are 26-13 against teams with a record of .500 or better — by far the most wins of any team in MLB. The next closest team is Texas at 14-10. Nine of their 11 series wins have been against winning teams.
Their most recent series win came against the first-place Twins, against whom Tampa Bay put up 13 runs (4.33 runs per game), and allowed just four.
The team is averaging 5.75 runs per game (second only to the Rangers) and slashing a combined .263 BA/.338 OBP/.474 SLG/.812 OPS line. And while some of the offensive numbers have fallen off of late (you can see the offensive peripherals of both teams over the last seven days below), they still lead the league in homers (108) and stolen bases (83).
Meanwhile, Texas is scoring 6.33 runs per game (first) and slashing a combined .277 BA/.344 OBP/.458 SLG/.802 OPS line. They are seventh in the league in homers (79), although they aren’t really that active on the base paths (24 stolen bases).
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff is getting back to where it should be. Overall, the Rays boast a 3.53 ERA and a 4.03 FIP (2.94 ERA and a 3.47 FIP for the starters, 4.19 ERA and a 4.65 FIP for the relievers) and a 1.21 WHIP, with 20 quality starts. Those numbers look dramatically better over the last seven days, with the Rays pitching staff maintaining an overall 2.18 ERA and a 3.40 FIP (1.36 ERA and a 2.98 FIP for the starters, 3.10 ERA and a 3.87 FIP for the relievers).
The Rangers’ pitching staff is very good, too, sporting an overall 3.58 ERA and a 3.80 FIP, with a 1.17 WHIP and 31 quality starts. They, too, have been very good over the last week, maintaining an overall 2.67 ERA and a 3.12 FIP (1.91 ERA and a 3.76 FIP for the starters, 4.41 ERA, and a 1.63 FIP for the relievers).
Last season, the Rays went 4-3 against the Rangers with a +1 run differential.
Pitching Probables
Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will turn to Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 3.72 ERA, 2.97 FIP), Taj Bradley (4-2, 3.60 ERA, 3.12 FIP), and Shane McClanahan (9-1, 2.02 ERA, 3.51 FIP). Bruce Bochy will counter with Andrew Heaney (4-3, 4.03 ERA, 4.78 FIP), Nathan Eovaldi (8-2, 2.24 ERA, 2.45 FIP), and Martin Perez (6-1, 3.97 ERA, 4.72 FIP).
Tyler Glasnow allowed one run on four hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six. Making his second start of the season after suffering a grade two oblique strain in Spring Training, Glasnow looked sharp as he tossed 88 pitches (54 strikes, 61% strike rate, 12 whiffs, 14% SwStr%). The right-hander had a good pitch mix and got five of his six strikeouts on offspeed pitches. It was an encouraging performance as he continues to ramp things up. Glasnow now maintains a 3.72 ERA and a 2.98 FIP through 9.2 innings, with a 3.5 K/BB, and a 1.34 WHIP. He is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two career starts against the Rangers.
Andrew Heaney allowed three runs on six hits and four walks over three innings on Saturday against the Mariners. He struck out five. Heaney tied his season high with four walks and completed his fewest innings since the season opener when he surrendered seven runs over 2.2 innings. Since his horrendous season debut, the southpaw has been really sharp, posting a 3.09 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and 2.52 K/BB over his last 10 appearances (55.1 innings). Heaney relies primarily on a whiffy 92 mph fourseam fastball that has some natural sinking action, an 84 mph changeup that dives down out of the zone, and an 82 mph slider that has short glove-side cut. Heaney is 0-3 with a 3.67 ERA in five career starts against the Rays. Key Matchup:Yandy Díaz (1-4, BB)
Taj Bradley allowed two runs on six hits and three walks over five innings against the Red Sox. He struck out six. Bradley allowed two runs or fewer and finished five innings for the fourth time this season. Per Rays pitching coach, Kyle Snyder, Bradley continues to evolve — he is increasing his curveball usage, and using his above-average changeup more often against left-handed hitters. The rookie has made seven appearances across two stints at the big-league level this season, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 3.12 FIP, with a 1.17 WHIP, and 6.00 K/BB over 35 innings.
Nathan Eovaldi allowed one hit and struck out seven over six scoreless frames on Saturday against the Mariners. Eovaldi was given plenty of run support early on and exited the contest with a 12-0 lead after tossing six dominant frames. This was his fifth scoreless outing of the season, all of which have come in his last seven starts. He’s won six times over that stretch. Eovaldi maintains a 2.24 ERA and a 2.45 FIP, with a 0.93 WHIP, and 5.5 K/BB through 80.1 innings over 12 appearances this season. He relies primarily on a 96 mph fourseam fastball that has some natural sinking action and arm-side run and a hard 89 mph splitter that has some natural sink, while also mixing in a 92 mph cutter, and a 77 mph curveball that has sharp downward bite. The former Ray is 5-6 with a 4.04 ERA in 15 career outings (13 starts) against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Josh Lowe (1-1), Manuel Margot (2-7), Francisco Mejía (2-7, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), José Siri (1-3), Taylor Walls (1-2, 2B)
Shane McClanahan allowed one run on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Red Sox on Monday. He struck out five. McLanahan has only allowed more than two runs once in 13 starts this season. The lone blemish on his line Monday came on Justin Turner’s solo homer run in the sixth inning. McLanahan now boasts a pristine 2.02 ERA and a 3.51 FIP, with a 1.15 WHIP, and a 3.00 K/BB over 75.2 innings this season.
Martin Perez allowed an unearned run on three hits and one walk over seven innings against St. Louis on Monday. He struck out five batters. Perez tossed arguably his best game of the campaign, giving up a season-low three hits and tying a season-high by completing seven frames. The only run he allowed was unearned, and he finished with his fifth quality start. Perez bounced back nicely after coughing up six earned runs over 4.2 frames against Detroit his last time out. He maintains a 3.97 ERA and a 4.72 FIP, with a 1.44 WHIP, and a 2.33 K/BB over 68.0 innings this season. Perez relies primarily on a 92 mph sinker, an 84 mph circle change, and an 89 mph cutter. Perez is 4-6 with a 5.46 ERA in 18 career outings (15 starts) against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Yandy Díaz (8-25, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, BB), Wander Franco (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Francisco Mejía (5-8, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Taylor Walls (2-5)
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And that, my friends, is how you welcome Randy Arozarena at home plate after hitting a walk-off homer. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
After winning Wednesday night’s contest in walk-off fashion, the Tampa Bay Rays look to sweep the Minnesota Twins out of the Trop this afternoon.
At 45-19 on the season, the Rays enter play a season-high 26 games over .500, 6.5 games up on the second-place Orioles in the division.
Andrew Kittredge, who is targeting a late July/early August return from Tommy John surgery, threw off the Tropicana Field mound this morning — something he has been doing for the last few weeks. Kittredge will soon progress to facing hitters in a live batting practice setting.
Pete Fairbanks (hip) also threw off the mound at the Trop and is expected to start a rehab stint shortly.
Tampa Bay made a roster move this morning, optioning Cooper Criswell to Triple-A Durham, and recalling right-hander Yonny Chirinos. Since Chirinos is close to five years of service time, and because once that occurs he must approve of any option back to Triple-A, he is expected to stick around.
Prior to being optioned back to Durham, Criswell had been on a nice little run. In his last 9.2 innings of work, he’d given up just two runs and struck out nine. He did allow five free passes, and it would be nice to see him bring his BB/9 down (1.8 K/BB over that stretch) — which he likely will work on at Triple-A — however, his results looked decent.
Yandy Díaz isn’t in the lineup because he is dealing with some soreness in his hip flexor. He’s available to hit if needed and should be in the lineup tomorrow, against Texas.
The New What Next
Yonny Chirinos (2-1, 2.79 ERA, 4.67 FIP) will get the start this afternoon, pitching opposite Bailey Ober (3-2, 2.33 ERA, 3.18 FIP).
Yonny Chirinos allowed three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two over 4.2 innings back on May 17 against the Mets. Two of the three hits he gave up were home runs. Brett Baty took him deep in the fifth inning and then Pete Alonso crushed a two-run blast in the seventh. Chirinos has mostly been used as a bulk reliever this season and overall, he has been successful in that role. He owns an unsightly 1.00 K/BB though, but that is paired with a 0.97 WHIP, and a respectable 2.79 ERA (which is belied by a 4.67 FIP) across 29 innings.
Bailey Ober surrendered four hits over six scoreless innings on Friday against Cleveland. He struck out three. Ober allowed just one Guardian to reach scoring position, and he lowered his ERA and FIP to 2.33 and 3.18 (respectively) with his first scoreless appearance since May 5. The right-hander registered a 4.09 ERA over his previous four starts but he walked just five batters during that span. Ober relies primarily on a whiffy 92 mph fourseam fastball and an 82 mph slider that has short glove-side cut and some two-plane movement, while also mixing in an 84 mph changeup that has obvious arm-side fade and natural sinking action, and a 78 mph curveball that has sharp downward bite.
You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.
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