The Tampa Bay Rays placed five pitchers on outright waivers earlier this week in preparation for bringing their 40-man roster in order.
Left-hander Ryan Sherriff was the only pitcher claimed by another team, as he was claimed by the Philadelphia Phillies, and will now be added to their 40-man roster. The 31-year-old appeared in 16 games at the big league level in 2021, going 0-1 with a 5.52 ERA. He spent almost a month on the restricted list dealing with his mental health, and also made 32 appearances with Triple-A Durham, amassing a 5-4 record and a 2.81 ERA.
Meanwhile, relievers Cody Reed and Oliver Drake went through waivers unclaimed, and have elected to become free agents. Reed, acquired from the Cincinnati Reds a the trade deadline in 2019, made just 12 appearances in 2021 before dealing with weakness in his left hand and undergoing thoracic outlet surgery, going 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA. Drake missed the entire 2021 season after recovering from offseason elbow surgery, then dealing with a setback during his rehab.
In addition, relievers DJ Johnson and Chris Mazza were outrighted to Durham after clearing waivers, and both will become minor-league free agents on Sunday. Mazza spent six different stints with the Rays in 2021, appearing in 14 games with no record, a 4.61 ERA and a save. Johnson, who was acquired by Tampa Bay from Cleveland at the trade deadline, made just three appearances with the team, not allowing a run in 2 2/3 innings before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
The moves reduce the 40-man roster to 34.