Rays option top prospect Adames to Minors

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Top Rays prospect Willy Adames highlighted the club's first roster moves of the spring Wednesday.
"It's not ideal for a young player who is used to getting everyday at-bats, and obviously he wants to -- they all want to -- come in and have success," Rays manager Kevin Cash said of Adames. "We really try not to evaluate too much on the results, but just the way he continued to work, his at-bats were solid. We've got a special player that we're looking forward to seeing here soon."
Reassigned to Minor League camp were right-hander Jeff Ames, infielder Ryan Brett, catchers Nick Ciuffo and Jonah Heim, first baseman Dalton Kelly and left-hander Ryan Yarbrough.

Optioned to the Minor Leagues along with Adames were right-handers Jose De Leon, Jacob Faria, Christopher Guerrieri, Chih-Wei Hu and Ryne Stanek and left-hander Hunter Wood.
"You try to make it a good day, give some good messages, but guys are disappointed," Cash said. "... For the most part, they all showed up really well. We're excited to get them started with innings and at-bats."
The Rays also granted veteran left-hander Dana Eveland his release.
"That was obviously the most difficult conversation," Cash said. "Dana is a guy who was with us a lot last year, and then this year, couldn't quite find a way to make the roster fit work. Wanted to do it sooner than later to give him an opportunity to find another spot somewhere else."
A day after Cash said De Leon would not be participating in the World Baseball Classic, the Rays announced that he would be joining Team Puerto Rico.
"He decided to go and we'll be pulling for him," Cash said.