ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays announced on Thursday they had acquired left-handed starting pitcher John Lamb from the Reds for cash considerations.
Lamb, 26, was designated for assignment by the Reds on Oct. 27, three days after he underwent back surgery for the second time in as many years. He was out of Minor League options and not expected to be ready until well into the 2017 season.
Lamb went 2-12 with a 6.17 ERA in 24 starts over parts of two Major League seasons with the Reds (2015-16), averaging 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings over that span.
The Reds acquired Lamb, along with lefty pitchers Brandon Finnegan and Cody Reed, from the Royals for ace Johnny Cueto on July 26, 2015.
Lamb has struggled with health issues, including an operation on Dec. 7, 2015, to repair a disc in his lower back, which caused him to miss the start of the '16 season.
Once he returned on May 3, Lamb went 1-7 with a 6.43 ERA in 14 starts before he was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on July 16. He made three more starts for Louisville before going on their disabled list Aug. 4 with a left elbow injury, and he missed the remainder of the season.
In addition, Lamb had Tommy John surgery in 2011.
Lamb is 41-41 with a 3.74 ERA in 131 games (130 starts) over parts of eight Minor League seasons. He was selected by the Royals in the fifth round of the 2008 Draft.