DENVER -- The Rays added a veteran arm to their pitching staff on Sunday, acquiring starter Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Mets, but they also parted ways with another seasoned right-hander.
After a 9-1 loss to the White Sox on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field, the Rays informed reliever Craig Kimbrel that he would be designated for assignment. The move was made official on Monday after Peralta joined the team in Denver.
“Tough conversation. Respect the heck out of him -- the player, the career and, getting to know him, respect the person a lot. Wish him well,” manager Kevin Cash said Monday afternoon at Coors Field. “Hopefully he lands on a spot. It just didn't work out with the timing for us, but certainly, you can see why he's been such an elite pitcher and was an elite teammate while he was here."
The Rays made room for Peralta on their 40-man roster by transferring outfielder Jake Fraley (hernia) to the 60-day injured list. Dropping Kimbrel cleared a spot on their 26-man roster. The Rays also optioned right-hander Alex Cook to Triple-A Durham, creating another spot on their roster for a potential addition ahead of Monday night’s series opener at Coors Field, but did not immediately make a corresponding move.
Tampa Bay signed Kimbrel as a free agent on May 26, looking to add some experience and veteran presence to the relief corps. The 38-year-old right-hander had been designated for assignment by the Mets, then he cleared waivers and became a free agent after declining a Minor League assignment.
Kimbrel pitched better for the Rays, logging a 3.86 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and 10 walks in 18 2/3 innings over 19 appearances. He gave up one run on a hit and two walks with one strikeout in Sunday’s lopsided defeat.
Kimbrel has enjoyed a decorated, Hall of Fame-worthy career over 17 seasons in the Majors. His 440 saves are the fifth-most all-time, and the nine-time All-Star has also put together a 2.67 ERA with 1,314 strikeouts in 884 appearances. He can also boast a full trophy case, from the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year Award and 2014 Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award to the 2017 Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award and a 2018 World Series ring.
With Peralta on board and Shane McClanahan (back) expected to only miss two weeks on the injured list, the Rays could move one of their starters to the bullpen whenever they return to full strength.
Tampa Bay is set up well at the back end of the ‘pen, with Major League saves leader Bryan Baker working alongside setup men Kevin Kelly and Garrett Cleavinger and the newly acquired Tyler Wells. Cam Booser and Casey Legumina didn’t start the season in the bullpen, but both have played key roles in the middle innings.
Right-hander Cole Sulser (back) should return from the injured list relatively soon, and right-hander Manuel Rodríguez -- a high-leverage option when healthy -- is progressing well in his rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham. The Rays are also giving lights-out pitching prospect Ty Johnson (Rays’ No. 10) a look in the bullpen in Durham, making him a potential late-season option.