The Rays announced a series of roster moves this afternoon, adding a utility player from the Reds Triple-A roster. Let’s get into it:
The Tampa Bay Rays have made the following roster moves:
– RHP Alex Faedo and OF Stuart Fairchild reinstated from 60-day IL and designated for assignment.
– Designated RHP Garrett Acton, RHP Caleb Boushley, RHP Joey Gerber and RHP Cole Wilcox for assignment.
– Reinstated RHP Hunter Bigge, OF Jonny DeLuca, LHP Shane McClanahan and RHP Manuel Rodríguez from the 60-day IL.
Let’s take those in reverse order. First up is the return to the 40-man roster with injured players Bigge (shoulder/face), DeLuca (shoulder) McClanahan (nerve), Rodriguez (elbow). All four should be viewed as part of the Rays long-range plans and are worthy of a 40-man roster spot.
In corresponding moves, four players were directly designated for assignment in RHP Garrett Acton, RHP Caleb Boushley, RHP Joey Gerber and RHP Cole Wilcox.
Among them, Wilcox is the most notable name, originally acquired alongside Luis Patiño, Francisco Mejía and Blake Hunt in the miserable trade that sent Blake Snell to the Padres. Wilcox had to undergo Tommy John surgery in September 2021 and struggled to return, so the Rays traded him to relief in 2025. At the end of the season, the Rays gave Wilcox one inning to pitch on September 19, striking out one and seven walks to the Boston Red Sox.
Still, Wilcox was ranked in the Top 10 prospects at MLB Pipeline, so his departure is a bit of a surprise.
Finally, the Rays also reinstated and released RHP Alex Faedo, who was injured during Spring Training and never made the starting roster, and OF Stuart Fairchild, who was acquired as a defensive replacement for the Rays’ outfield; however, he was injured during warm-ups prior to his first game with the team.
Rays acquires INF/OF Ryan Vilade
Primarily an outfielder, Vilade has bounced around four Major League teams at the highest level without much success. In 71 career PAs across four franchises, he has a 9 wRC+, but he’s bopping in Triple-A, including a 134 wRC+ with 17 HR and 11 SB over 461 PA across two teams. The Rays acquired him for cash.
As a right-handed hitter, if the season started today he would have to compete with the reinstated DeLuca, as well as Christopher Morel and Everson Pereira, but the Rays should expect more moves regardless.
The Rays 40-man roster is now full, meaning the team still has to place the following players on the injured list: LHP Nate Lavender, RHP Brian Van Belle, SS Taylor Walls.
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