The Mets traded Sulser to the Rays on Friday for cash, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Sulser was designated for assignment by the Mets on Monday, but instead of being claimed off waivers, the 34-year-old right-hander will head to Tampa Bay via trade. Across four major-league outings this season, Sulser has given up five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven across 4.2 innings. He's had far more success across his 24 outings with Triple-A Syracuse this season, posting a 1.48 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 30.1 frames. He'll stay at that level, with the Rays optioning Sulser to Durham following the trade.
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Rays' Tyler Zuber: Recalled from Durham
Rotowire
The Rays recalled Zuber from Triple-A Durham on Friday.
Zuber pitched out of the Rays' bullpen Monday against the Yankees, when he allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two across 1.1 innings before being sent back down to Durham the next day. Across 18 outings in the Triple-A this season, Zuber has a 2.49 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB across 21.2 innings.
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Rays' Matthew Etzel: Dealt to Tampa Bay
Rotowire
The Rays acquired Etzel, Mac Horvath and Jackson Baumeister from the Orioles on Friday in exchange for starting pitcher Zach Eflin, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Etzel began the season with High-A Aberdeen before being promoted to Double-Bowie. In Bowie, Etzel was slashing .254/.333/.368 with nine stolen bases, two home runs and 10 RBI across 129 plate appearances.
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Rays' Mac Horvath: Sent to Tampa Bay
Rotowire
The Rays acquired Horvath, Jackson Baumeister and Matthew Etzel from the Orioles on Friday in exchange for starting pitcher Zach Eflin, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Horvath was selected 53rd overall by the Orioles in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft and got his first taste of professional action last year with a 1.058 OPS in 22 games across rookie ball, Single-A Delmarva and High-A Aberdeen. The 22-year-old is back at the High-A level this year and has a .232/.328/.417 slash line in 71 games.
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Rays' Jackson Baumeister: Traded in Eflin deal
Rotowire
Baumeister and minor-league outfielders Matthew Etzel and Mac Horvath were acquired by the Rays from the Orioles on Friday in exchange for starting pitcher Zach Eflin, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Baumeister was selected 63rd overall in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft by Baltimore and will now make his way to Tampa Bay. The 22-year-old right-hander has pitched at the High-A level this season in his first year of professional action and has a 3.18 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 91:43 K:BB across 70.2 innings.
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Rays' Jonny DeLuca: Chance to seize starting role
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DeLuca is starting in left field and batting fifth Friday against the Reds, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
The 26-year-old also manned left field Thursday but hasn't been a consistent lineup presence in recent weeks, but he should have more opportunities going forward after Randy Arozarena was traded to the Mariners. DeLuca has struggled in 57 big-league games this season with a .169/.242/.271 slash line, and he may need to be more productive in order maintain a regular role.
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Rays' Ben Rortvedt: Idle Friday
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Rortvedt is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Cincinnati.
Rortvedt is absent from the starting nine for a second consecutive game, avoiding a same-hand matchup with lefty Nick Lodolo on Friday. Alex Jackson will bat ninth and catch in Rortvedt's place.
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Rays' Richie Palacios: Taking seat against southpaw
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Palacios is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.
The lefty-hitting Palacios will dodge a matchup with Nick Lodolo on Friday. Jose Caballero will take Palacios' spot at second base.
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Rays' Josh Lowe: Not facing southpaw
Rotowire
Lowe is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Cincinnati.
Lowe will dodge a matchup with left-hander Nick Lodolo on Friday. Jonny DeLuca, Jose Siri and Amed Rosario will fill the outfield from left to right for the Rays' first game since trading Randy Arozarena to Seattle.
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Rays' Brandon Lowe: On bench Friday
Rotowire
Lowe is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.
Lowe will take a seat Friday due to southpaw Nick Lodolo starting for Cincinnati. Instead, Isaac Paredes will DH while Jose Caballero plays second base.
The Rays reinstated Diaz (personal) from the restricted list Friday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Diaz was placed on the restricted list following the All-Star break and missed seven consecutive games for personal reasons. The 32-year-old will be available for Friday's series opener against the Reds and should slot in at first base. Diaz is slashing .273/.329/.396 with eight homers, 46 RBI and 35 runs during 416 plate appearances.
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Rays' Yandy Diaz: Expected back Friday
Rotowire
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Thursday on MLB Network Radio that Diaz (personal) is expected to rejoin the team before Friday's game against the Reds, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.
Diaz has been on the restricted list and away from the club since the start of the second half while dealing with a personal family matter, but it appears his absence will not extend any longer. The Rays already have an open roster spot after trading Randy Arozarena to the Mariners, so they won't need to make a corresponding transaction for Diaz.
Hopkins, Aidan Smith and a player to be named later were traded from the Mariners to the Rays in exchange for Randy Arozarena on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Hopkins was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Mariners. He's spent the entire 2024 season at Single-A Modesto and pitched well with a 2.90 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 83.2 innings while also tallying a 95:40 K:BB. His control is a concern, and there may not be much more upside in his profile as he was drafted as a college arm and is currently in his age-22 season.
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Rays' Aidan Smith: Shipped to Rays
Rotowire
Smith, Brody Hopkins and a player to be named later were traded from the Mariners to the Rays in exchange for Randy Arozarena on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Smith was selected by the Mariners in the fourth round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft and has spent the 2024 season at Single-A Modesto. He's maintained an impressive .877 OPS and 136 wRC+ across 358 plate appearances as a 19-year-old, though he's still several years away from reaching the majors.
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Rays' Brandon Lowe: Keeps raking with four hits
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Lowe went 4-for-4 with two walks, a solo homer, two doubles, three total RBI and two runs during Thursday's 13-0 win over Toronto.
Lowe reached base in all six of his plate appearances and generated his first four-hit game of the season. The 29-year-old's first-inning homer was the fourth in his last seven games. Lowe has gone 20-for-64 (.313) with six home runs, 11 runs scored and 10 RBI in July.
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Rays' Isaac Paredes: Plates four in rout
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Paredes went 2-for-5 with a walk, a double, four RBI and two runs during Thursday's 13-0 win over the Blue Jays.
Paredes had gone hitless in six of his previous seven starts but snapped out of the cold spell with Thursday's multi-hit performance. His four RBI marked a season high, bringing his 2024 total to 55. Through 416 plate appearances, Paredes is slashing .250/.353/.444 with 16 home runs.
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Rays' Taj Bradley: Keeps dealing
Rotowire
Bradley (6-4) picked up the win Thursday against Toronto, allowing two hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over six scoreless innings.
Bradley has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last month and a half, allowing just five earned runs in 55 innings across his past nine starts. He's been especially sharp of late and hasn't surrendered a run in three consecutive outings. He made quick work of the Blue Jays on Thursday and didn't allow a hit after the first inning, retiring 17 of the final 18 batters he faced. The 23-year-old's ERA has dropped to 2.63 on the year, and he has 90 punchouts across 75.1 innings.
