Evan Longoria said last week that his surgically-repaired left hamstring “is ready.”
Longoria underwent a minor procedure on the hamstring on November 20, and although the Rays will take it slow on him early in spring training, it’s not expected to affect his status for Opening Day. Longo was limited to just 74 games last season due to hamstring problems, batting .289/.369/.527 with 17 homers.
Source: tampabay.com
Tagged as: Evan Longoria, news, Rays
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times hears that there was “some chatter” last week about a possible Reid Brignac trade.
Brignac is out of options and doesn’t look like a fit on the Rays’ Opening Day roster, so he could either be dealt or be exposed to waivers. The former top prospect has batted just .227/.268/.317 over parts of five seasons with the Rays and turned 27 last month.
Source: tampabay.com
Tagged as: news, Rays, Reid Brignac
Fernando Rodney expressed confidence on Friday that he’ll finalize a contract extension with the Rays in the near future.
Rodney added that he’s already had discussions with management, and that he expects a deal to be finalized this month. The 35-year-old closer is coming off one of the most surprising and utterly dominant seasons in major league history, posting a 0.60 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 76/15 K/BB ratio while converting 48 saves. Fantasy owners seem to have bought in as well, as he’s being selected as a top-five closer in early drafts.
Source: mlb.com
Tagged as: Fernando Rodney, news, Rays
According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays are “set to re-sign” DH Luke Scott.
The Rays declined a $6 million club option on Scott back in late October but kept an open dialogue with him throughout this offseason. The 34-year-old posted an ugly .229/.285/.439 batting line in 2012, but he has some pop and represents the Rays’ best option at designated hitter. He’ll carry fantasy value in AL-only leagues.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Luke Scott, news, Rays
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Rays have reached a one-year agreement with Kyle Farnsworth.
The deal will carry a base salary of around $1.5 million and another $1.5 million in performance incentives. Farnsworth, 36, posted a 4.00 ERA in 27 innings last season while battling an elbow injury. He will operate as a setup man in 2013 behind Rays closer Fernando Rodney.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Kyle Farnsworth, news, Rays
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports there’s mutual interest in a reunion between the Rays and Luke Scott.
The Rays declined Scott’s $6 million club option for 2013 after he batted just .229/.285/.439 with 14 homers and a .725 OPS last season, but they are open to bringing him back at a lesser rate. The club was considering Delmon Young before he signed with the Phillies on Tuesday, so the odds of Scott returning have increased over the past 24 hours.
Source: tampabay.com
Tagged as: Luke Scott, news, Rays
Rays signed RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo to a minor league contract.
Oviedo underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery in September 2012 and probably won’t be recovered until the very end of the 2013 season. The 30-year-old right-hander was formerly known as Leo Nunez.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Juan Carlos Oviedo, news, Rays
Rays signed RHP Jamey Wright to a minor league contract.
Wright posted a 3.72 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 54/30 K/BB ratio in 67 2/3 innings last summer for the Dodgers. The 38-year-old will probably open 2013 at Triple-A Durham.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Jamey Wright, news, Rays
Rays signed OF Shelley Duncan to a minor league contract.
Duncan, 33, batted just .203/.288/.388 in 264 plate appearances last season for the Indians. He will operate as organizational outfield depth in 2013 for Tampa Bay.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: news, Rays, Shelley Duncan
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports that free agent reliever Kyle Farnsworth is close to picking a team.
Farnsworth has narrowed his choices from six teams to two in recent days and the Rays are one of the finalists. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 4.00 ERA and 25/14 K/BB ratio over 27 innings in 2012 and missed a large chunk of the season with an elbow injury.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Kyle Farnsworth, news, Rays