Rays Make First Group of Cuts
Tampa Bay made its first cuts on Monday, reducing the number of players in MLB camp to 73. The Rays optioned INF Osleivis Basabe, RHP Taj Bradley, INF/OF Greg Jones, INF Curtis Mead and RHP Colby White to minor league camp. In addition, LHP Mason Montgomery and RHP Elvin Rodriguez, two non-roster invites, were reassigned to minor league camp.
Of this group, Mead and Bradley are among those closest to helping the MLB team. Both of them reached Triple-A Durham last year. By most experts, they are rated the top position player and pitcher in the Rays system.
That said, Mead and Bradley have not played a half season yet with the Bulls and each individual has areas where they can improve. Basabe had the best Spring of anyone in the group.
Basable, Bradley, Jones, Mead and White were all off-season additions to the 40-man roster. Montgomery was the Rays Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season.
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Here’s an updated Spring Training roster. Those that are non-roster players have a * next to their name:
Pitchers (39): Jason Adam, Shawn Armstrong, Shane Baz, Jalen Beeks, Colten Brewer*, Trevor Brigden*, Braden Bristo*, Zack Burdi*, Yonny Chirinos, Garrett Cleavinger, Kyle Crick*, Cooper Criswell*, Zach Eflin, Pete Fairbanks, Calvin Faucher, Josh Fleming, Tyler Glasnow, Andrew Gross*, Ben Heller*, Heath Hembree*, Trevor Kelley*, Kevin Kelly, Andrew Kittredge, Joe LaSorsa*, Shane McClanahan, Evan McKendry*, Michael Mercado*, Anthony Molina*, Chris Muller*, Luis Patino, Hector Perez*, Colin Poche, Drew Rasmussen, Evan Reifert*, Josh Roberson*, Jaime Schultz*, Graham Spraker*, Jeffrey Springs, Ryan Thompson.
Catchers (8): Roberto Alvarez*, Christian Bethancourt, Gavin Collins*, Nick Dini*, Logan Driscoll*, Blake Hunt*, Francisco Mejia, Rene Pinto.
Infielders (13): Jonathan Aranda, Vidal Brujan, Charlie Culberson*, Yandy Diaz, Wander Franco, Tristan Gray, Brandon Lowe, Kyle Manzardo*, Isaac Paredes, Daniel Robertson*, Austin Shenton*, Ronny Simon*, Taylor Walls.
Outfielders (13): Randy Arozarena, Ruben Cardenas*, Ben Gamel*, Niko Hulsizer*, Josh Lowe, Manuel Margot, Kam Misner*, Tristan Peters*, Jordan Qsar*, Luke Raley, Harold Ramirez, Josi Siri, Grant Witherspoon*.
Of the 73 players in big league camp, 12 are currently involved or returning from the World Baseball Classic, while four others (Armstrong, Baz, Glasnow and Kittredge) are to start the year on the IL.
