The Rays introduced Thursday that they’ve chosen the contract of right-hander Tyler Zuber. He’s now on their 40-man roster however gained’t be a part of the massive league workers, as Tampa Bay instantly optioned Zuber to Triple-A Durham. The Rays’ 40-man roster now stands at 38 gamers.
Tampa Bay signed Zuber out of the Atlantic League again in mid-Could. He’d been pitching properly for the Lengthy Island Geese and has continued to take action with the Bulls in Durham, working to a glowing 2.49 ERA with an enormous 33.3% strikeout fee in opposition to a 6.9% stroll fee.
The 30-year-old Zuber pitched with the Royals in 2020-21, displaying an intriguing means to overlook bats but in addition a obtrusive drawback along with his command. His rookie 12 months in 2020 included 22 innings with a 4.09 ERA and big 30.3% strikeout fee … but in addition a sky-high 20.2% stroll fee. Zuber has pitched 49 1/3 innings within the majors total and recorded a 5.29 ERA, 24.8% strikeout fee and 16.7% stroll fee.
Regardless of his lack of command within the majors, Zuber didn’t have substantial hassle with free passes previous to his debut. He’s battled shoulder troubles in 2021 and 2022, nevertheless, lacking your entire ’22 season in consequence. It’s not clear how a lot that ailing shoulder impacted him throughout 2020-21, however Zuber’s Ok-BB profile in Durham this season has been glorious and he’ll now give the Rays yet one more fascinating reclamation challenge who could possibly be known as upon to assist the massive league bullpen earlier than later.
The Rays have a deep assortment of bullpen arms, with out-of-options righty Shawn Armstrong the one one of many present group that’s skilled any actual struggles in 2024. Nonetheless, Tampa Bay already traded Phil Maton to the Mets and has been rumored to be open to shifting another veteran arms whilst they attempt to stay in competition. Pete Fairbanks, Jason Adam, Colin Poche, Kevin Kelly and Garrett Cleavinger are among the many prospects to alter fingers within the subsequent 12 days. Shifting anybody from that group might clear a spot for Zuber or one other in-house arm to get a glance. Specifically, dealing any of Fairbanks, Adam or Poche would trim some cash from the Rays’ franchise-record payroll and get replaced by a extra reasonably priced choice — an idea much like the prior trades of Maton and Aaron Civale.
