The Tampa Bay Rays made another move Tuesday to fill out their 40-man roster Tuesday, acquiring pitcher Sean Poppen from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Poppen has spent parts of the last three seasons in the major leagues, including three appearances this year with the Pirates. He had no record with a 7.71 ERA. He also spent parts 2019 and 2020 with the Minnesota Twins, with no record and a 6.19 ERA in ten appearances. He was designated for assignment Thursday by the Pirates when bringing up first baseman Will Craig.
Poppen will report to the Durham Bulls.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
