J.P. Arencibia is expected to sign a minor league deal with the Rays Friday afternoon. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)
Rays 5/20/16 Starting Lineup
Souza Jr. RF
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Pearce 2B
Dickerson DH
Jennings LF
Morrison 1B
Kiermaier CF
Conger C
Andriese RHP
Noteworthiness
— The Rays have re-signed catcher J.P. Arencibia to a minor-league deal ― news that was tentatively confirmed by Arencibia, then made official by Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) on Friday.
Content: in a state of peaceful happiness. Now let’s get back to work and make it happen. #Rays
— Jp Arencibia (@jparencibia9) May 20, 2016
News now official, #Rays have signed J.P. Arencibia to minor-league deal, assigned to AAA @DurhamBulls, Carlos Corporan released
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) May 20, 2016
According to Topkin, Arencibia will report initially to Triple-A Durham, but could provide an alternative if there was an injury to one of the Rays two catchers, or if Hank Conger were to continue to struggle.
Arencibia, 30, slashed .310 BA/.315 OBP/.606 SLG/.921 OPS/.388 wOBA/4.3 wRAA with six homers and 17 RBI in 24 games for Tampa Bay late last season, after spending most of the year with Triple-A Durham.
He was signed in the offseason by the Philadelphia Phillies, who sent him to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, from where he was released (by request) on Monday. Arencibia didn’t fare well with the IronPigs, although it could be argued his lackluster .167 BA/.167 OBP/.271 SLG/.438 OPS line was the product of a limited number of plate appearances (48 PA in just 12 games) this season. Still Steamer had him pegged to post some pretty uninspiring numbers in 2016, so it is anyone’s guess if this acquisition will prove worthwhile or not.
After the release of Carlos Corporan the Rays have Luke Maile catching at Triple-A, and Conger on the active roster with Curt Casali, who has gotten the bulk of the time behind the plate.
— Brad Boxberger (core muscle surgery) is moving his rehab assignment up to Triple-A Durham, where he will pitch Saturday out of the bullpen.
— Don’t forget to read about tonight’s pitching matchup, and so much more, in our series preview.