According to Chris Cotillo (SB Nation) RHP Kevin Jepsen has agreed to a Major League deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. The team confirmed another roster move this afternoon, as C Luke Maile will be activated from Triple-A Durham before Friday night’s game.
Source: Rays are giving Jepsen a major-league deal.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 14, 2016
#Rays make it official, Maile will be recalled prior to tomorrow’s game.
— Matt Stein (@MattSteinSTF) July 14, 2016
Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wrote of the Rays’ interest in a reunion with Jepsen after the reliever was designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins on July 3. Following that news, Topkin reported (via Twitter) that the two sides were nearing a deal. Interestingly enough, the Rays traded the right-hander to Minnesota at last season’s trade deadline
The 31 year-old was brilliant for the Twins last in 2015, collecting a pristine 1.61 ERA, with an 8.0 K9/2.3 BB9, and a 40.8% ground ball rate (GB%) and 10 saves. However, in 30-2/3 innings with Minnesota this season, Jepsen drastically regressed, posting an abysmal 6.16 ERA, while averaging just a 6.5 K9/3.5 BB9 with a 30.2% GB%. Steve Adams (MLB Trade Rumors) wrote about the reliever’s lackluster performance this season, saying,
Jepsen yielded 29.6 percent hard contact in 2015 but saw that number soar to 38.4 percent in 2016, thanks largely to an 8.5 percent increase in his line-drive rate (19.8 percent to 28.3 percent). He’s also seen drops in the chase rate and swinging-strike rate of his opponents, and opposing batters have greatly upped their contact rate against him.
Jepsen will join Alex Colome, Brad Boxberger, Erasmo Ramirez, Matt Andriese and Tyler Sturdevant — a group of relievers whose jobs appear safe. However, since the acquisition requires a 40-man roster move, it’s likely that he will slot in the place of Enny Romero or Ryan Garton. It should be noted, Romero is out of options and any roster move would require a designation for assignment.
The team also confirmed that Maile would be the Rays’ next backstop after optioning Hank Conger to Triple-A Durham on Monday. Maile collected a .242 BA/.310 OBP/.340 SLG/.650 OPS/.301 wOBA slash line in 214 plate appearances with Durham this season, with two homers, 13 runs, and 12 RBI.