The Rays and Sulser avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Sulser had been eligible for arbitration for a second time. The 34-year-old reliever holds a career 3.74 ERA and 158:71 K:BB over 149 innings covering parts of six big-league seasons.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Austin Shenton: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
The Rays designated Shenton for assignment Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
The club has decided it had a better use for a 40-man roster spot ahead of the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline. Shenton will turn 27 in January and has just 50 major-league plate appearances under his belt, but he's slashed .276/.391/.541 with 34 homers in 144 games at the Triple-A level, so there could be interest in the infielder via waivers.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Ian Seymour: Nabs 40-man roster spot
Rotowire
The Rays selected Seymour's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
By adding Seymour to the 40-man roster now, the Rays will shield him from the Rule 5 Draft. Seymour, who turns 26 in December, held a 2.35 ERA and 162:41 K:BB over 145.1 innings between Double-A Montgomery and Durham in 2024.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Joe Rock: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Rays selected Rock's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Acquired from the Rockies in March, Rock posted a 4.58 ERA and 132:35 K:BB over 139.2 innings this season at Durham. The left-hander is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Wander Franco: Facing firearm charge
Rotowire
Franco (personal) is facing charges of illegal use and possession of a firearm related to his arrest in an altercation in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, Juan Recio of ESPN.com reports.
Franco is expected to be granted provisional release Tuesday, although terms of his bail have not yet been defined. The 23-year-old is on MLB administrative leave and is due to stand trial on Dec. 12 in the Dominican Republic involving charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. A concurrent investigation of Franco is being performed by MLB under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Wander Franco: Arrested following altercation
Rotowire
Franco (personal) was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday following an altercation Sunday during which guns were drawn, Juan Recio of ESPN.com reports.
Franco is being held for questioning and it's not yet clear whether he faces charges as a result of the incident. The 23-year-old is on MLB administrative leave and is due to stand trial on Dec. 12 in the Dominican Republic involving charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. If convicted, Franco faces up to 20 years in prison. MLB is also performing a concurrent investigation of Franco under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.
The Rays signed Waguespack to a one-year, $1.3 million contract extension with a $1.5 million club option for 2026 on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Waguespack, 31, missed much of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury, but during his time at Triple-A Durham he had a 32:5 K:BB over 22 innings. The right-hander finished the season healthy and should compete for an Opening Day roster spot, perhaps in a swingman role.
The Rays exercised Lowe's $10 million club option for 2025 on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
It's possible the Rays will look to trade Lowe as his salary escalates, but picking up the option was a fairly easy call. They also have an $11.5 million club option for 2026. Lowe slashed .244/.311/.473 with 21 home runs over 425 plate appearances for Tampa Bay this season.
