The Tampa Bay Rays have made the signing of relief pitcher Phil Maton official Wednesday, signing the 30-year-old to a major-league contract.
Maton went 4-3 with a 3.00 earned run average with the Houston Astros in 2023, appearing in 68 games out of the bullpen with one save. In 66 innings of work, the right-hander struck out 74 batters and walked just 25. In seven seasons with San Diego, Cleveland, and Houston, Maton has a record of 16-12 and a 4.25 ERA in 344 appearances.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Maton, left-hander Shane McClanahan was placed on the 60-day injured list. McClanahan, who underwent Tommy John surgery last September, is not expected to play this season as he recovers from the procedure.
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.
