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Japanese Pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa Opts to Explore Major League Opportunities
Japanese pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa made a significant decision late Saturday night, choosing to explore potential major league opportunities rather than joining the Rays’ Triple-A team in Durham. Uwasawa, along with two other players, was informed by the Rays that they would not be part of the opening-day roster, prompting them to consider their options under assignment clauses in their minor-league contracts.
Uwasawa, a three-time All-Star with Nippon, had signed a minor-league deal with the Rays with the hope of working with their esteemed pitching coaches. However, his desire to play in the big leagues has led him to contemplate his next move.
Speaking about his decision, Uwasawa stated, “Even from the offseason, my goal was to make the team on the opening roster, but I couldn’t make it. It is what it is, and there’s nothing I can do right now. If I decide to stay here, I’m going to just keep getting better. That’s not going to change.”
Players Utilize Upward Mobility Clauses
The other two players, catcher Rob Brantly and pitcher Burch Smith, also expressed their intentions to explore opportunities under the upward mobility clause in their contracts. Brantly, despite having an “amazing” time in camp with the Rays, is considering his options, while Smith emphasized his desire to be in the big leagues, even if it means moving to another team.
When the players invoked the clause, the Rays promptly notified other teams of their availability. If a team offers a 26-man roster spot within the next 48 hours, the Rays will have a similar timeframe to decide whether to add the player to their roster or trade them to the interested team for a nominal return.
Reflecting on his situation, Uwasawa mentioned, “I’m going to talk to my agent and see what other teams are thinking about me and what the Rays are thinking about me.” This decision marks a pivotal moment in the players’ careers as they weigh their options for the upcoming season.
Spring Training Highlights
In recent game reports, Zach Eflin showcased his readiness for the opening-day start, despite allowing a couple of home runs. Leftfielder Richie Palacios made a remarkable play, while Randy Arozarena displayed his hitting prowess with a home run. Aaron Civale had a strong outing against the Braves, and Francisco Mejia delivered a crucial go-ahead double.
As the Rays continue their spring training games, the team is gearing up for the upcoming season with a mix of seasoned players and promising talents. The final games leading up to the season opener against the Blue Jays will provide valuable insights into the team’s performance and potential lineup configurations.
Looking Ahead
With the regular season fast approaching, the Rays are navigating roster decisions and player movements to field the strongest team possible. As players like Uwasawa, Brantly, and Smith explore their options, the team remains focused on its goal of competing at the highest level in the upcoming season.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Rays’ roster developments and game performances as they prepare for the exciting season ahead.
Japanese Pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa Opts to Explore Major League Opportunities
PORT CHARLOTTE — Japanese pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa made a significant decision late Saturday night, choosing to explore potential major league opportunities rather than joining the Rays’ Triple-A team in Durham.
Uwasawa, along with two other players, catcher Rob Brantly and pitcher Burch Smith, were informed by the Rays that they would not be part of the opening-day roster. These players have assignment clauses in their minor-league contracts that allow them to seek opportunities with other teams.
Upon invoking the clause, the Rays notified other teams of the player’s availability. If another team offers a 26-man roster spot within 48 hours, the Rays have the option to add the player to their roster or trade him to the other team for a nominal return.
Speaking about his decision, Uwasawa stated, “I’m going to talk to my agent and see what other teams are thinking about me and what the Rays are thinking about me. I really like it here and the way they go about things.”
While Uwasawa signed a minor-league deal with the Rays to work with their esteemed pitching coaches, his ultimate goal is to play in the big leagues, leading to his current deliberation.
“Even from the offseason, my goal was to make the team on the opening roster, but I couldn’t make it. It is what it is, and there’s nothing I can do right now,” Uwasawa expressed.
Game Reports
Orioles 6, Rays 4
Zach Eflin showcased a strong performance in his six-inning tune-up for Thursday’s opening-day start, despite allowing a pair of home runs. Leftfielder Richie Palacios made a remarkable play with a running and diving catch, while Randy Arozarena added an opposite-field homer in the eighth.
Rays 5, Braves 2
Aaron Civale delivered a solid outing against a lineup of Braves regulars, with Francisco Mejia’s two-run double proving pivotal. Curtis Mead also contributed with a pair of RBI singles.
Miscellany
Harold Ramirez wore pitcher Erasmo Ramirez’s No. 61 in a game mix-up, highlighting the camaraderie within the team. With a crowded pitching staff at Durham, the Rays traded non-roster reliever Zac Houston to the Phillies for better opportunities. Manager Kevin Cash’s absence led to bench coach Rodney Linares and third-base coach Brady Williams managing the games. The Rays are gearing up for their final spring games before the season opener against the Blue Jays.
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