Rays Snag Former Angels Reliever on Minor League Deal!
The Rays have bolstered their bullpen by signing former Angels reliever Andrew Wantz to a minor league contract. A Pennsylvania native, Wantz has spent his entire MLB career with the Angels and will now look to add depth to the Rays’ pitching staff. While he is expected to refine his skills at Triple-A Durham for now, there is hope he could earn a call-up to the big league roster in the future.
Wantz, 29, comes with a setback—he is unlikely to pitch in 2025 due to a right elbow injury he suffered last June. The good news is that he won’t need Tommy John surgery, though he will still require significant recovery time. Like Mets lefty Nate Lavender, Wantz will have the opportunity to familiarize himself with the Rays’ system while preparing for a return to the majors.
Though the Angels parted ways with him, Wantz brings valuable experience to the Rays. He has logged over 100 innings in the majors, including four starts as the Angels experimented with him as a potential starter. The Rays could consider a similar transition for Wantz, following their success with relievers-turned-starters like Jeffrey Springs and Zack Littell.
In his time with the Angels, Wantz posted a respectable 1.2 WAR and a 3.88 ERA, with his best year coming in 2022 when he finished with a 3.22 ERA in 42 appearances. His strikeout and walk rates (9.3 SO/9 and 3.8 BB/9) were solid, and while his fastball sits in the low 90s, his movement and command help him avoid hard contact. The Rays are hoping to maximize Wantz’s potential once he’s healthy and ready for a big league return.
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