The Tampa Bay Rays have selected outfielder/infielder Austin Slater from Triple-A Durham, placing him on the MLB roster as they push for AL East leadership with a 37-25 record tied for first. To open a 40-man spot for Slater, the Rays are considering moves such as placing right-hander Jon Heasley on the 60-day IL or moving Jake Fraley, who recently underwent hernia surgery, depending on recovery timelines.
Slater’s MLB journey has been a roller coaster, with stints across seven teams over parts of 10 seasons. At 33, he previously played for the Giants, Marlins, White Sox, Mets, Yankees, Orioles, and Reds, and has a career .247/. OPS 0.715 across 720 games. This season with the Mets and previously with the Yankees and Marlins, Slater has struggled at the plate, recording limited hits and showing a pronounced strength only against left-handed pitching.
With the Rays, Slater is expected to contribute in outfield depth and potentially lineup versatility, especially in series against left-handed pitching. CBS Sports noted his strong minor-league performance this season, though his major-league numbers remain challenging, suggesting he could face a DFA risk if he doesn’t secure early impact.
Key takeaways:
– Rays promote Austin Slater from Durham to solidify outfield depth as they contend in the AL East.
– roster maneuvering likely includes opening a 40-man spot via IL move for Jon Heasley or potential DFA candidates.
– Slater’s career shows extensive team history with a modest overall MLB line, with potential against left-handed pitching and in right-handed matchups.
