BOSTON -- Before Saturday’s game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park was postponed because of inclement weather, the Rays selected the contract of right-hander Aaron Brooks from Triple-A Durham and optioned right-hander Mason Englert to Durham. To make room on the 40-man roster, outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy was designated for assignment.
Brooks, 36, has been around the block, having played professional baseball for 16 years including stints with Caliente de Durango of the Mexican League and Kia Tigers of the KBO League. He last appeared in the Majors in 2024, making five appearances with the A’s. Brooks also saw sparse big league action between 2014-22 with the Orioles, Royals and Cardinals. In six Major League seasons, he won nine games with a 6.36 ERA.
Brooks signed a Minor League deal with the Rays on April 25 after making one start for Durango in 2026. Before the promotion to the big leagues, Brooks played two games for Triple-A Durham and allowed eight runs in 8 2/3 innings.
“It’s a blessing just sticking with the game and staying healthy is the name of the game. Thankfully, I’ve been able to do that and continue to get the opportunity,” Brooks said. “I’ve been to a lot of places and abroad. That has helped me mentally as far as dealing with adversity. I roll with the punches.”
Brooks is expected to pitch out of the bullpen in a long-relief role.
“He has had a unique couple of weeks. I’m happy for him. We’ll put him in the bullpen and use him as needed,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
As for Englert, he pitched the final 3 1/3 innings without allowing a run in Friday’s 2-0 loss to the Red Sox. The move acts as a refresher for Tampa Bay’s bullpen, which had been heavily used during the club's recent seven-game winning streak.
“I appreciate Englert’s work yesterday to keep some other guys from pitching, which is what we needed,” Cash said. “The thought of sending him down is to get him stretched out and continue down that path with his pitch mix.”
Malloy did not see any action in the big leagues after the Rays purchased his contract from the Tigers last December. He played 34 games for Durham and went 14-for-109 (.128) with four homers and 11 RBIs.