ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays added depth on Thursday when they signed seven players to Minor League contracts, each with an invitation to Major League Spring Training.
In addition, the Rays invited 11 Minor Leaguers from within the organization to big league camp.
Left-handers Dana Eveland and Justin Marks, who were both members of the Rays for parts of the 2016 season, headlined the group signed to Minor League contracts. Also in that group were right-handers Diego Moreno and Neil Wagner, catcher Michael McKenry, infielder Ryan Brett, and outfielder Shane Peterson.
A pair of former first-round Draft choices -- first baseman Casey Gillaspie and catcher Nick Ciuffo -- were among the group invited to Major League Spring Training from within the organization. Also invited were right-handers Jeff Ames and Andrew Kittredge, catcher Jonah Heim, first baseman Dalton Kelly, first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers, infielder Jake Hager, infielder/outfielder Patrick Leonard and outfielders Johnny Field and Dayron Varona.