Rays sign RHP Jacob Waguespack to a $1.3 million, 1-year deal with 2026 club option
Right-hander Jacob Waguespack has agreed to a $1.3 million, one-year deal with the Tampa Bay RaysNOVEMBER 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
JACOB WAGUESPACK #40 - PITCHER - TAMPA BAY RAYS
0-0 W-L •
2.30 WHIP •
5.40 ERA
0-0 W-L
2.30 WHIP
5.40 ERA
Rays waive catcher Rene Pinto, re-sign pitcher Jacob Waguespack The 2024 season-opening starter behind the plate failed miserably and was claimed by Baltimore. The versatile right-hander got a guaranteed...
NOVEMBER 5 • TAMPABAY.COM
Rays reinstate McClanahan from 60-day IL, extend Waguespack ST. PETERSBURG -- Facing a deadline to reinstate players from the 60-day injured list on Monday, the Rays activated ace Shane McClanahan and...
NOVEMBER 4 • MLB.COM
Signs contract extension The Rays signed Waguespack (shoulder) to a contract extension Monday.
Impact The terms of the new deal are not known at this time. Waguespack, 31, missed much of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury, but during his time at Triple-A Durham he had a 32:5 K:BB over 22 innings. The right-hander finished the season healthy and should compete for an Opening Day roster spot, perhaps in a swingman role.
NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE
Kicks off rehab assignment Waguespack (shoulder) gave up an earned run on two hits and no walks over one inning in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Friday.
Impact Waguespack's appearance marked his first game action at any level since June 25, when he was pulled off a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League after experiencing a lower-back issue. The right-hander was initially placed on the injured list May 6 with right rotator cuff inflammation. Waguespack likely doesn't have enough time to get fully stretched back out for a starting role, so if he returns from the 60-day IL this season, he'll presumably serve as a reliever.
SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE
Kicks off rehab assignment Waguespack (shoulder) gave up an earned run on two hits and no walks over one inning in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Friday.
Impact Waguespack's appearance marked his first game action at any level since June 25, when he was pulled off a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League after experiencing a lower-back issue. The right-hander was initially placed on the injured list May 6 with right rotator cuff inflammation. Waguespack likely doesn't have enough time to get fully stretched back out for a starting role, so if he returns from the 60-day IL this season, he'll presumably serve as a reliever.
SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE
Aims to resume mound work this week Waguespack (shoulder/back) is hopeful to resume throwing bullpen sessions by Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
Impact Initially placed on the injured list May 6 with right rotator cuff inflammation, Waguespack was cleared to make a rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on June 25, only to fall victim to a lower-back issue that has kept him from pitching in a game ever since. He received injections Aug. 5 to address the back issue, and assuming the shots had the desired effect, Waguespack will take the next step forward in his throwing program by getting back on the mound this week. Even though the Rays likely envision Waguespack serving as a multi-inning reliever rather than a starter when he returns from the IL, he'll still likely need multiple weeks to complete a throwing progression and minor-league rehab assignment.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Resumes throwing program Waguespack (shoulder) resumed his long-toss progression Friday, MLB.com reports.
Impact Waguespack has been sidelined since April 12 and previously had his rehab shut down. However, he's resumed throwing and could toss a bullpen session at some point during the week of July 29.
JULY 27 • ROTOWIRE
Shut down from throwing Waguespack (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing due to a lower back issue, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.
Impact Waguespack has been shelved since May 6 due to inflammation in his right shoulder but was given the green light June 24 to begin a rehab assignment. However, he's picked up a lower back injury that will require him to be shut down for an unspecified period of time.
JULY 9 • ROTOWIRE
Waguespack and 5 relievers combine on a 6-hitter and Rays beat Giants 2-1
Jacob Waguespack and five relievers combined on a six-hitter and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1APRIL 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Slated for long relief Waguespack will open the season in a long-relief role for the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact He had been competing for a spot in the rotation, but the Rays have picked Tyler Alexander for that role. Waguespack holds a career 5.08 ERA and 79:38 K:BB over 13 starts and 14 relief appearances at the major-league level.
MARCH 25 • ROTOWIRE
Added to roster The Rays selected Waguespack's contract from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Waguespack had inked a minor-league contract this offseason following a two-year stint in Japan and has earned a spot on the major-league roster after allowing three runs with a 6:1 K:BB over five innings this spring. The 30-year-old right-hander is a candidate to make some starts early on in the season while Taj Bradley (pectoral) is sidelined.
MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE
Joins Tampa on minors deal Waguespack signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Monday.
Impact The deal includes an invitation to big-league camp, but the 30-year-old right-hander was most likely brought aboard by the Rays to serve as bullpen depth at Triple-A Durham. Waguespack logged a 4.43 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 9.6 K-BB% across 95.2 innings over parts of two seasons in the majors with the Blue Jays in 2019 and 2020, but he's since spent the last two campaigns overseas in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with the Orix Buffaloes. He struggled in his second season with Orix in 2023, pitching to a 5.77 ERA over 43.2 innings.
JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE
Passes through waiver wire The Blue Jays outrighted Waguespack to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Impact Though he no longer possesses a spot on the 40-man roster, Waguespack will continue to attend big-league camp with the Blue Jays after going unclaimed off waivers. Expect him to open the Triple-A season as a member of Buffalo's rotation.
MARCH 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Designated for assignment Waguespack was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Saturday.
Impact Waguespack was healthy to begin spring training and made two relief appearances for the Blue Jays over the first week of Grapefruit League play. He allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while failing to strike out any batters over 1.1 innings. As a result, he'll be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for right-hander Joel Payamps, who was claimed off waivers by Toronto in a corresponding move.
MARCH 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Available for first spring game Waguespack (back) is slated to pitch during Sunday's spring opener against the Yankees, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.
Impact The 27-year-old missed the final weeks of the 2020 campaign due to a back strain, but he appears to be clear of that injury at the start of camp. Waguespack covered 17.2 innings for Toronto last season and struggled with an 8.15 ERA, 2.04 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB.
FEBRUARY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Lands on injured list Waguespack was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left back strain Thursday.
Impact Waguespack was recalled by the Blue Jays on Wednesday, but he was roughed up in relief against the Yankees. The right-hander allowed five runs on five hits and one walk while striking out zero over two innings. His injury could have played a role in his struggles, and he should now miss the remainder of the regular season while he recovers. It's unclear whether Waguespack will be in the Blue Jays' bullpen during a potential postseason run.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Higashioka hits 3 of Yanks' 7 HRs in 13-2 romp vs Blue Jays
Kyle Higashioka hit a career-high three home runs, DJ LeMahieu connected twice and the resurgent New York Yankees hit a season-best seven home runs in another Bronx air show, thump...SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Optioned yet again Waguespack was optioned by the Blue Jays on Saturday, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports.
Impact Waguespack is very much on the fringe of the Blue Jays roster, as he's spent four separate stints with the team in this very short season. With a 6.32 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP in 15.2 innings of relief, it's not hard to see why he hasn't nailed down a permanent place on the team. Bo Bichette (knee) was activated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Optioned to taxi squad Waguespack was optioned off the Blue Jays' roster Tuesday and added to the team's taxi squad.
Impact Waguespack has bounced on and off the roster throughout the season. He's been mediocre when available, posting a 4.85 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP in 13 innings of work, all of which have come out of the bullpen.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Dropped from active roster The Blue Jays optioned Waguespack to their alternate training site Friday.
Impact Waguespack worked 2.1 innings of long relief Thursday in the Blue Jays' 9-8 win over the Phillies in the second game of a doubleheader, tossing 47 pitches in the outing. Due to the heavy workload, Waguespack likely wouldn't have been available for at least the next two days, so the Blue Jays will presumably fill his spot on the active roster with a fresh arm ahead of Friday's series opener in Tampa Bay.
AUGUST 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Optioned to alternate site Waguespack was optioned off the Blue Jays' active roster Tuesday.
Impact Waguespack, who owns a 4.00 ERA in nine innings of relief this season, will remain near the team as part of the taxi squad. Julian Merryweather was recalled in a corresponding move.
AUGUST 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Finishes out series-opening win Waguespack gave up a run on one hit and a walk while striking out one over an inning of relief Monday in the Blue Jays' 7-2 win over the Orioles.
Impact Waguespack was merely mopping up in the win, as he entered the contest in the bottom of the ninth with Toronto holding a 7-1 lead. The right-hander is expected to work in a low-leverage role out of the bullpen all season unless the Blue Jays' starting pitching depth gets tested.
AUGUST 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Jacob Waguespack seals win | 08/18/2020 Jacob Waguespack gets Pedro Severino to line out to Joe Panik to seal the Blue Jays' 7-2 win over the Orioles
AUGUST 18, 2020 • MLB.COM
Dropped from active roster The Blue Jays optioned Waguespack to their alternate training site prior to Sunday's game against the Rays.
Impact He'll be replaced on the active roster by Sam Gaviglio, who will serve as the Blue Jays' 29th man since both Toronto and Tampa Bay were awarded an extra player after the two sides finished out Saturday's suspended game earlier in the day. Waguespack has made five appearances out of the Toronto bullpen this season, giving up four runs (two earned) in 7.2 innings.
AUGUST 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
