The Rays have acquired right-hander Javy Guerra from the Padres for cash considerations. Guerra was designated for assignment by San Diego earlier this week. The Rays moved Shane Baz to the 60-day injured list to create room on the 40-man roster, and Rays broadcaster Neil Solondz tweets that a move will be made to accommodate Guerra on the active roster when he reports.
Guerra has pitched 27 2/3 Major League innings over the last three-plus seasons, including two innings of work in the Padres’ 10-5 win over the Diamondbacks on April 10. Not to be confused with the other Javy Guerra (a longtime veteran reliever), the Rays’ new Guerra is a former top-100 shortstop prospect who converted to pitching in 2019. Injuries have hampered Guerra’s progress, and also some roster constrictions — since he is out of options, the Padres weren’t able to send him to the minors without putting him through DFA waivers.
San Diego finally opted to designate Guerra, and given how often the Padres and Rays have linked up on trades in recent years, it probably isn’t surprising that Tampa Bay emerged as a suitor for Guerra’s services. Guerra’s fastball has routinely sat in the high-90s and even hit the 100mph threshold, so it will be intriguing to see if the Rays’ vaunted pitching development system can harness Guerra’s potential.
Baz underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery on March 21, and was expected to be shut down from throwing for 2-3 weeks. The move to the 60-day IL will keep Baz out of action until June, though such an absence was probably necessary for ramp-up purposes considering how much of Spring Training Baz missed. The star prospect made his MLB debut last season, making three starts in the regular season and one more in the playoffs.
Straightest fastball I’ve ever seen..guessing even the Rays can’t save this one..
Kyle farnsworth says hello
@mendozaline Farnsworth had a great career, made millions, and is most likely chillin on a beach somewhere as we speak..props to him!
Yes he did. In his early career as a cub he had issues with straight fastballs
Idk man, it’s the Rays. If there’s any team who could figure him out, it’s them. You can never rule anything out when it comes to them.
Sometimes fans forget that the players skillset can actually grow, and that coaches are there for an actual purpose
I’m well aware..@Brixton..that’s why I said “guessing”..If he becomes some dominant reliever over the years, I’ll happily admit I’m wrong..right now though, I’m happy for Javy..Hope a change of scenery does him well..
Skill sets can grow but it’s actually quite rare for a player to change skill set and improve mid career, thus it’s foolish to count on. It happens, but rarely.
Position players I’d agree more, but very different for pitchers though. You hear about pitchers changing mechanics, adding a pitch, or changing pitch usage and suddenly becoming a completely different pitcher all the time.
Right? To be clear..I’m rooting for the kid..but current facts, are current facts..Props to him for getting a taste of the show..
They’ll switch him to a running fastball or cutter or some kind of variation to add movement.
96 97 cutter vs a 101 100 4 scam or 98 99 2 seam.
We’ll see..hope he pulls it together! Dude paid his dues! I always say, teach pitchers the splitter..it can turn careers around in a heartbeat!
Was not expecting that
Wait, I just now realized that there’s two Javy Guerras.
Lol. Yeah..this one was a light hitting SS prospect who the Padres converted..
It went..poorly..
Getting a SS who had no chance of making the majors to become a pitcher who throws 100mph, plays in the MLB, and is seen as having a genuine prospect of becoming at least a serviceable ML reliever is it going poorly? I’d strongly disagree. Just because he isn’t the second coming of Mariano Rivera doesn’t mean it went poorly at all.
He actually did play in the majors briefly as a SS which is wild because he wasn’t even really hitting well in the minors. If I recall correctly he was on the 40 man and everyone else they could call up was injured so it just sort of happened and he played in the bigs for a couple weeks.
The other crazy thing is he’s been out of options for a few years so he’s basically been learning to pitch in the majors. Very unusual career track.
This feels like such a Rays acquisition. Next thing you know he has a 2.00 ERA and closing games for them.
I was gonna say closing games and they make him a 2 way player!
THAT’S why I saw Eric Neander redeeming those soda cans this morning!
So Baz can rehab in the Minors while still on the 60 Day IL? Was somewhat surprised that his rehab would take longer. But that’s why I post here—to learn.
Not the same Baz
“… and given how often the Padres and Rays have linked up on trades in recent years…”
Did Preller ever stop to think that maybe that is a problem?
@TLH-You seen him pitch? He was a much better SS than pitcher…hope the best for the kid, but also hope he saves his money..
I agree but if anyone can fix him it’s the Rays or Guardians
Lol why do you hate this guy so much, and why are you clueless? A better SS than pitcher? Are you being paid commission to make stupid comments? Lmao
Jake Cronenworth says… “no.”
How far away is Clevinger from the big league rotation? 3 weeks?
1 more week is their plan assuming all goes as planned
He threw 2 innings, I can’t see him returning as quickly as everyone hopes.
*SARASOTA SEA HORSES Acquire Javy Guerra From *FRESNO FIRE FROGS
My scouting report on Javy Guerra. The guy cannot throw a consistent strike. He walks a lot of hitters.
I always hoped he would lob it at 85mph over the plate vs 98mph outside of the zone.