Rays have 16 pitchers remaining for 13 slots in 2025

Here are the decisions made for every pitcher in Spring Training camp thus far.

Each Spring Training more than 70 players will roll through hoping for a slot on the 26-man roster. It’s a lot, particularly on the pitching side.

Here’s a recap of every pitcher the Rays brought into camp this year, and what’s left to be decided.

Non-Roster Invites already reassigned to minor league camp

• Garrett Acton, RHP - Former A’s reliever, signed a two-year deal with the Rays following Tommy John surgery in 2023, reassigned March 17
• Keyshawn Askew, LHP - Prospect, acquired in the Brooks Raley deal ahead of the 2023 season, 6’3” side armer, reassigned March 4

• Jake Brentz, LHP - former Royals reliever (2021-2022), released on March 13
• Alex Cook, RHP - prospect drafted in 12th round (2022), reliever in high-A invited to big league camp, reassigned on February 27 due to ongoing injury but one to watch
• Brandon Eisert, LHP - reliever acquired from Toronto for cash considerations on January 23, claimed off waivers by Chicago (AL) on February 7
• Michael Flynn, RHP - prospect, acquired in the Amed Roasrio trade, reassigned March 9
• Joey Gerber, RHP - former Yankees relief prospect, reassigned March 9
• Paul Gervase, RHP - relief prospect acquired July 2024, reassigned March 7
• Jonathan Hernández, RHP - reliever for Texas and Seattle, reassigned on January 30
• Joey Krehbiel, RHP - former prospect in 2021, reliever for Baltimore in 2023, pitched in Seattle system in 2024, reassigned March 17
• Ben Peoples - prospect surprisingly not selected in the Rule 5 draft, reassigned March 17 to convert to relief pitching

• Evan Reifert, RHP - Selected by the Nationals in the Rule 5 draft, returned to the Rays on March 18, one to follow
• Austin Vernon, RHP - relief prospect drafted in 2021, reassigned Mach 4
• Cole Wilcox, RHP - prospect acquired in 2020 Snell trade, reassigned March 13 to convert to relief pitching

• Nathan Wiles, RHP - traded to the Atlanta Braves on March 21 for cash considerations
• Logan Workman, RHP - prospect drafted in 2021, reassigned March 4
• Alfredo Zarraga, RHP - relief prospect acquired for Miles Mastrobuoni in 2022, reassigned March 4

Optioned 40-man Pitchers

• Hunter Bigge, RHP - Cubs reliever acquired in the Isaac Paredes trade at the deadline, pitched will in 2024, optioned March 21
• Yoniel Curet, RHP - Double-A starter signed out of the DR in 2019, optioned March 7
• Eric Orze, RHP - Mets reliever acquired for Jose Siri in November 2024, serious contender for Opening Day bullpen, optioned March 21
• Joe Rock, LHP - Triple-A starter, acquired from Colorado ahead of the 2024 season in exchange for former 22nd overall pick Greg Jones, optioned March 7
• Ian Seymour, LHP - Triple-A starter, drafted 57th overall in 2020, optioned March 7
• Cole Sulser, RHP - 35-year old veteran, pitched for Rays in 2019, optioned March 19
• Jacob Waguespack, RHP - veteran depth signed out of Japan ahead of last season, injured most of the 2024, retained by Rays and optioned March 19

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Before we move on to the active pitching competition, there are two pitchers worth noting that will be on the active roster but are currently injured.

Injured List

• Alex Faedo, RHP (IL-15) - transitioned to relief in 2024, acquired from Detroit in exchange for C Enderson Delgado and cash considerations, injured throwing shoulder on March 21, will be placed on 15-day injured list at start of season
• Nate Lavender (IL-60) - Prospect selected in the Rule 5 draft, once healthy must stay on the 26-man roster for rest of 2025 season to be retained

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Alrighty, on to the remaining competition. The Rays still have seven pitchers in contention for the Opening Day rotation, which is one more than expected, and two more than you need.

Starting Pitchers

1. Shane Baz, RHP - 14 GS in 14 G for Rays in 2024, with 3.06 ERA and 4.07 FIP
2. Joe Boyle, RHP - 10 GS in 13 G for Oakland in 2024, key acquisition in the Jeffrey Springs trade, expected to be optioned
3. Taj Bradley, RHP - 25 GS in 25 G for Rays in 2024, with 4.11 ERA and 4.09 FIP
4. Zack Littell, RHP - 29 GS in 29 G for Rays in 2024, converted to relief and arguably team’s best starting pitcher not traded, with 3.63 ERA and 3.88 FIP (no contract options remaining)
5. Shane McClanahan, LHP - Opening Day starter, returning from injury after 21 GS in 2023
6. Ryan Pepiot, RHP - 26 GS in 26 G for Rays in 2024, key acquisition in the Tyler Glasnow trade, with 3.60 ERA and 3.95 FIP
7. Drew Rasmussen, RHP - promised rotation role after signing extension, returning from injury after 4 GS in 16 G in 2024

Relief Pitchers without options remaining

1. Garrett Cleavinger, LHP - 60.0 IP in 68 G for Rays in 2024, with 3.75 ERA and 4.00 FIP (6 SV)
2. Pete Fairbanks, RHP - 45.1 IP in 46 G for Rays in 2024, with 3.57 ERA and 3.50 FIP (23 SV)
3. Edwin Uceta, RHP - 41.2 IP in 30 G for Rays in 2024, with 1.51 ERA and 1.70 FIP (5 SV)
4. Manuel Rodríguez, RHP - 37.2 IP in 40 G for Rays in 2024 with 2.15 ERA, 3.67 FIP (2 SV)
5. Mike Vasil, RHP - 134.0 IP in 29 G for Mets AAA, with 6.04 ERA and 5.75 FIP, Rule 5 prospect acquired for cash considerations, expected to pitch in long relief, must be kept on the 26-man roster to be retained through 2025 season

Relief Pitchers with options remaining

1. Mason Englert, RHP - 77.2 IP in 43 G for Detroit from 2023-2024, with 5.45 ERA and 5.41 FIP, acquired on Feb 12 for LHP Drew Sommers
2. Kevin Kelly, RHP - 70.2 IP in 68 G for Rays in 2024, with 2.67 ERA and 3.27 FIP (1 SV)
3. Mason Montgomery, LHP - 9.2 IP in 9 G, with 1.86 ERA and 1.20 FIP

Non-Roster Invite

1. Connor Seabold, RHP - 160.0 IP in 28 GS for the Samsung Lions (KBO) in 2024, with 3.43 ERA, may be back up plan to Vasil for long relief

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In total, that’s 16 pitchers for 13 slots. Unless another trade occurs to deal from the team’s depth, the only “locks” are SP Zack Littell, and RP’s Fairbanks, Cleavinger, Uceta, and Rodriguez. Should the Rays want to retain the rights to Vasil, he would become the sixth lock, but that might be debatable.