Rays acquire right-handed pitcher Wilmer Font

The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired right-handed pitcher Wilmer Font from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Peter Bayer. Font was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Wednesday. 
Font, who turned 28 yesterday, has split the 2018 season between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Athletics organizations, posting a 0-2 record with a 12.71 ERA (17-IP, 24-ER) in 10 appearances. He was named to the Dodgers 2018 Opening Day roster as a reliever, but was designated for assignment on April 23 after six appearances. He appeared in four games with the Athletics.
In 2017 with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Font was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year, compiling a 10-8 record with a 3.48 ERA (134.1-IP, 51-ER) in 25 starts. He ranked among PCL leaders in strikeouts (178, 1st), wins (10, tied for 2nd), WHIP (1.11, 1st), opponents' avg (.222, 1st) and SO/9 IP ratio (11.93, 1st). He was also named a midseason PCL All-Star, started the Triple-A All-Star Game and took home PCL Pitcher of the Week honors twice. Over parts of four major league seasons with the Texas Rangers (2012-13), Dodgers (2017-18) and Athletics (2018), Font has made 18 appearances. In 10 minor league seasons, is 38-29 with a 3.61 ERA (618.2-IP, 248-ER) in 203 appearances (105 starts). Font was signed as an amateur free agent by the Rangers in July 2006. 
Bayer, 24, is 0-0 with a 18.00 ERA (4-IP, 8-ER) in 5 appearances for Class-A Charlotte this season. Over parts of three minor league seasons, he is 4-4 with a 4.08 ERA (103.2-IP, 47-ER) in 40 appearances (11 starts). He was selected by the Rays in the ninth round of the 2016 June Draft from California Polytechnic State University.