Tampa Bay Rays wading into uncharted pitching territory with 13 closers
The Tampa Bay Rays have set an MLB record with 13 pitchers recording saves this season. Jordan Shusterman breaks it down.SEPTEMBER 9, 2021
Signs minor-league deal with Rays Slegers signed a two-year minor-league contract with the Rays on Tuesday which includes an invitation to next year's spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Multi-year minor-league deals are rare, but this one makes sense given the timing. Slegers finds himself back with an organization where he's had success in the past, as he produced a 3.41 ERA in 29 innings for the Rays in 2019 and 2020. He owns a poor 5.46 career ERA and had a 6.97 ERA in 31 innings for the Angels earlier this year, however, so he'll head to the minors to sort things out for now.
AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Opts for free agency Slegers elected to become a free agent after clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.
Impact The right-hander struggled with the Angels this season, posting a 6.97 ERA and 1.87 WHIP across 31 innings. He enjoyed a much stronger campaign with Tampa Bay in 2020, so he could draw some interest from an organization that believes it can help turn Slegers back around.
AUGUST 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Outrighted to Triple-A Slegers cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.
Impact Slegers was designated for assignment by the Halos last week, but he'll stick around the organization after going through waivers unclaimed. The 28-year-old has a 6.97 ERA in 29 big-league appearances and a 6.43 ERA in 16 outings at Triple-A this season.
AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Optioned to Triple-A Slegers was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.
Impact Slegers was hit hard as a long reliever Thursday, as he allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two in 3.1 innings. The right-hander will now head back to the minors after right-hander Jose Marte's contract was selected by the Angels on Friday.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Hit hard in long-relief outing Slegers allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two batters versus the Tigers on Thursday.
Impact Starter Jose Quintana was pummeled for six runs (five earned) over 1.1 innings of work, so Slegers was called upon in the second frame to try to restore order. The right-hander didn't fare much better, yielding four runs of his own and serving up a pair of long balls, though the Angels would rally from an eight-run deficit to pull out a wild win. Slegers' appearance was his first since being recalled from the minors Wednesday. He has struggled in his first campaign with the Angels, posting a 6.97 ERA, 1.87 WHIP and poor 25:15 K:BB across 31 innings.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rejoins big-league club Slegers was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.
Impact Slegers was sent down to Triple-A last week and will quickly rejoin the Angels with Patrick Sandoval (back) landing on the injured list. The right-hander has a 6.51 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB over 27.2 innings this season and should fill a low-leverage bullpen role.
AUGUST 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Optioned again Slegers was optioned by the Angels to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.
Impact Slegers was recalled Aug. 8 to take the place of Steve Cishek, who was placed on the bereavement list. With Cishek back on the roster, Slegers has been optioned to the minors. In his four days with the team, Slegers made one appearance and allowed three earned runs across four innings while striking out four.
AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Returns to majors Slegers was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.
Impact Slegers will rejoin the Angels on Sunday after spending the past month in the minors. The right-hander has a 6.46 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 19:13 K:BB across 23.2 major-league innings this season.
AUGUST 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
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Demoted once again The Angels optioned Slegers to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Impact The righty appeared in three games after his June 30 call-up, allowing two runs on three hits and a pair of walks in 2.2 innings of work. In 27 total games with the Angels in 2021, Slegers has pitched 23.2 innings and has an unremarkable 6.46 ERA. Kean Wong was recalled on a corresponding move Friday.
JULY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
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Back with big club Slegers was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake prior to Wednesday's game against the Yankees.
Impact This will mark Slegers' third stint with the Angels this season. The right-hander posted an ugly 6.43 during his previous 21 major-league innings to begin the campaign, though that number is largely inflated by his four runs allowed in just one-third of an inning against Oakland May 27. James Hoyt was optioned to Salt Lake in a corresponding roster move.
JUNE 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Demoted back to Triple-A Slegers was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.
Impact Slegers has been in the minors for the majority of June, but was recalled Tuesday and threw one inning in relief. He allowed one earned run on two hits and a walk. Luis Rengifo was recalled in the corresponding move.
JUNE 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Murphy homers again, Montas wins as A's beat Angels 6-4
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Joins big-league club Slegers was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.
Impact The right-hander was sent to Triple-A in late May, and he'll rejoin the Halos after spending the past couple weeks in the minors. Slegers has struggled in 2021 with a 6.30 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB across 20 innings.
JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sent to Triple-A Slegers was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.
Impact Slegers struggled mightily in Thursday's loss to Oakland, as he allowed four runs on three hits and a walk while only recording one out. He'll now head to the minors after left-hander Jose Suarez was recalled in a corresponding move.
MAY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Oakland faces Los Angeles, aims to build on Bassitt's solid performance
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Lit up in loss Slegers (2-2) allowed four runs on three hits and a walk while recording only one out via strikeout in a loss to Oakland on Thursday.
Impact Spot starter Patrick Sandoval delivered five shutout innings Thursday, but Slegers made a mess of the sixth inning. Slegers had strung together five scoreless innings prior to Thursday's meltdown. The 28-year-old has a 6.30 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB across 20 innings this year, mainly in a low-leverage role. He's added a hold and two blown saves in 23 outings.
MAY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bassitt pitches two-hitter, fans nine as A's beat Angels 5-0
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Takes first loss in relief Slegers (2-1) allowed two earned runs on one hit and one walk while recording just one out, taking the loss against the Astros on Tuesday.
Impact Slegers entered a tie game in the eighth inning Tuesday, and only retired one of the three batters he faced. Both runners he was responsible for ended up scoring on a three-run home run by Yuli Gurriel. Slegers walked another batter in his fifth-straight relief appearance. This is a new issue for the 27-year-old, as he didn't allow a single walk in his first 11 appearances this season. In the month of May, he's issued seven walks while only striking out two.
MAY 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
