The Tampa Bay Rays were off yesterday, but on Tuesday they lost to the Boston Red Sox in Grapefruit League play 5-2. They face off against the Philadelphia Phillies today. The team is continuing to trim and address roster spots as Opening Day nears. The team will open the season at Tropicana Field on Thursday, March 28th against the division rival Toronto Blue Jays. The team has made three moves this morning before the game today vs the Phillies.
RHP – Jeff Hakanson
Hakanson was assigned to the Rays roster this morning. Hakanson is a six foot 185-pound 25-year-old right-hand pitcher. He spent last season pitching for the Charleston River Dogs Single A team and the Bowling Green Hot Rods High A teams. While with Charelston he appeared in 16 games with a 0-1 record, throwing 26 innings, striking out 389 batters, a 4.50 ERA, and a 1.23 WHIP. While pitching for Bowling Green he appeared in 14 games going 2-1, 23.2 innings, 35 strikeouts, 3.80 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP.
CF – Cristopher Barete
Barete is a 22-year-old right-hand bat who was assigned to the Rays roster this morning. He spent all of last year playing for Charleston Single-A. He played in 103 games, had 12 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 33 RBIs, 31 walks, 25 stolen bases, and slashed .252/.318/.318 with a .636 OPS.
Trade
The Rays made a trade this morning with the Colorado Rockies sending SS Greg Jones in exchange for LHP Joe Rock.
LHP – Joe Rock
Rock is a 23-year-old left-hand pitcher who was drafted in the 2021 draft by the Rockies. Rock pitched most of the year last year for the Hartford Yard Goats Double AA. He started 19 games last year for them going 1-10 on the year. He pitched in 90 innings recording 108 strikeouts, 32 walks, a 4.50 ERA, and a 1.40 WHIP. He started one game for the Albuquerque Isotopes Triple AAA team last year. He threw only 2.2 innings with four strikeouts, two walks, a 10.13 ERA, and a 1.88 WHIP.
