Yanks star Stanton off to strong start after smashing finish
Giancarlo Stanton is picking up where he ended the postseason last yearMARCH 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MICHAEL WACHA #52 - PITCHER - KANSAS CITY ROYALS
13-8 W-L •
1.19 WHIP •
3.35 ERA
13-8 W-L
1.19 WHIP
3.35 ERA
Next up for Rays: Saturday at Twins, 6:05 Michael Wacha will be on the mound for the Rays’ only night game of the spring.
MARCH 20, 2021 • TAMPABAY.COM
Goes three-plus in intrasquad game Wacha was impressive while logging three innings and facing one batter to simulate the start of a fourth frame in an intrasquad game Saturday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. "He cr...
Impact Wacha's primary three-pitch arsenal of a fastball, cutter and changeup has worked extremely well for him thus far this spring ahead of what both the Rays and the veteran right-hander hope will be a resurgent season. Prior to Saturday's outing, Wacha had logged three scoreless frames across his first two Grapefruit League outings against the Red Sox and Twins.
MARCH 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Remains sharp second time out Wacha fired two scoreless innings in a Grapefruit League loss to the Twins on Sunday, allowing one hit and no walks while recording a strikeout.
Impact Adam Berry of MLB.com reports Wacha threw 15 of 21 pitches for strikes and averaged an impressive 94.4 mph on his fastball, an uptick from the 93.6 mph figure he logged with the Cardinals in 2020. Manager Kevin Cash noted after the game that pitching coach Kyle Snyder is particularly enthused with Wacha's cutter, which the veteran right-hander got two called strikes and three outs with on the seven occasions he used it against Minnesota.
MARCH 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Indians minus Ramírez, Reyes after they break virus protocol
The Cleveland Indians have broken COVID-19 protocols for the third time in less than a year, this time costing them third baseman José Ramírez and slugger Franmil ReyesMARCH 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Encouraging results in debut Wacha, who fired a scoreless first inning during his Grapefruit League debut against the Red Sox on Tuesday, continued his effective 2020 practice of relying on his changeup during...
Impact Despite a forgettable 1-4 record, 6.62 ERA and 1.56 WHP across 34 innings over eight appearances (seven starts) for the Mets last season, Wacha did have success with his changeup, generating an impressive 40.8 percent whiff rate while throwing the pitch a career-high 29.2 percent of the time. He deployed it at key moments with success again Monday while overcoming a leadoff walk to Enrique Hernandez, striking out J.D. Martinez before getting Rafael Devers on an inning-ending groundout. Wacha threw 21 pitches overall during his one frame, and he projects to take the next step toward prepping for his projected mid-rotation role in the coming season with a potential start against the Twins on Sunday.
MARCH 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Twins newcomer Happ back on mound after positive virus test
Eager for a fresh start with a new team, JMARCH 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AP source: LHP Hill, RHP McHugh agree to deals with Rays
A person familiar with the deals tells The Associated Press that pitchers Rich Hill and Collin McHugh have agreed to one-year contracts with the Tampa Bay RaysFEBRUARY 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AL East teams at the start of spring training
A team-by-team look at the American League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catcher...FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
NL East teams at the start of spring training
A team-by-team look at the National League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catcher...FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moves to Tampa Wacha signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact The Rays' reputation is such that it's generally safe to assume that if they want a player, he's probably better than he seems. In Wacha's case, his 6.62 ERA in 34 innings for the Mets last season came with a solid set of peripherals, as he struck out 23.7 percent of opposing batters while walking a career-low 4.5 percent. He did also see his groundball rate plummet from 48.0 percent in 2019 to 35.5 percent in 2020, however. Still, there's enough there to suggest that he should have a decent chance to carve out a successful season as a back-end starter or in whatever creative role the innovative Rays elect to deploy him.
DECEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
This Date in Baseball
This Date in Baseball for Oct. 18, 2020OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bumpy season ends in big disappointment for frustrated Mets
Like so many things in everyday life this year, little went according to plan for the New York MetsSEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday Sports in Brief
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rays clinch first AL East title in 10 years
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Takes fourth loss Wacha (1-4) allowed four runs on six hits and struck out four in six innings in a loss to the Rays on Wednesday.
Impact Homers by Joey Wendle and Randy Arozarena accounted for three of the four runs against Wacha, who was not particularly sharp Wednesday. Wacha has taken losses in his last four decisions. The 29-year-old righty has likely made his last appearance of the season -- if so, he finishes with an unsightly 6.62 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 34 innings and eight appearances.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Rays beat Mets 8-5, clinch 1st AL East title in 10 years
Randy Arozarena homered twice and the Tampa Bay Rays clinched their first AL East title in 10 years Wednesday night with an 8-5 victory over the New York MetsSEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wacha expected to start as New York hosts Tampa Bay
The Rays will start Tyler Glasnow on Wednesday and the Mets are expected to counter with Michael WachaSEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Alonso, Mets put Rays' clinch party on hold with 5-2 win
Pete Alonso and the New York Mets prevented Tampa Bay from clinching the AL East crown Tuesday night, beating the Rays 5-2 behind three home runs and Seth Lugo’s bounce-back pitchi...SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Returning to rotation Wacha will start Wednesday against the Rays, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Impact Wacha made his previous appearance out of the bullpen, but he's a starter by trade and will return to that role Wednesday, pushing Steven Matz into a bullpen role. He hasn't had a particularly good time in his first and potentially only season as a Met, posting a 6.75 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP in 28 innings of work.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Covers four innings as reliever Wacha allowed one run on five hits with three strikeouts and zero walks over four innings out of the bullpen Wednesday against the Phillies.
Impact The 29-year-old figured to be in the mix to start this weekend against the Braves, but he worked in long relief Wednesday with Jacob deGrom (hamstring) pitching only two innings. It was Wacha's best outing of the season since giving up one run across five frames during his season debut.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
This Date in Baseball
This Date in Baseball for Sept. 24, 2020SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
DeGrom exits with hamstring spasm, Mets rally past Phils 5-4
Jacob deGrom left after two innings with a right hamstring spasm, but the New York Mets rallied from four runs down to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 on Wednesday nightSEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Available as reliever Wacha is available out of the bullpen Sunday against the Blue Jays, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.
Impact The 29-year-old lined up to start Tuesday at Philadelphia, but New York will instead push up the rest of the rotation thanks to Monday's scheduled off day. Wacha could return to the rotation when the Mets need a fifth starter next weekend against the Braves.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Hit hard by Orioles Wacha (1-3) allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and no walks while striking out three across four innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Orioles.
Impact Wacha served up two long balls to account for three of his four earned runs. However, he was regularly in trouble and showed little deceptiveness, racking up only six swinging strikes on 71 total pitches. Wacha has struggled mightily this season and now has a 7.50 ERA across 24 innings. He'll look to get on track in his next outing, currently projected to come Tuesday at Philadelphia.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
