Rays Have No Surprises With Recent Spring Training Cuts
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The Tampa Bay Rays have two weeks until Opening Day against the St. Louis Cardinals, and their roster is beginning to round into shape.
With players beginning to return to camp from the World Baseball Classic, moves are starting to be made with the spring training roster. Minor league camp is going on at the same time, with players being optioned and reassigned.
As shared by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, multiple moves have been made at Big League camp. Three players have been optioned to minor league camp, with two more players being reassigned to minor league camp, putting their roster at 52.
Outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. was the only positional player to be cut and optioned to minor league camp. Joining him as players optioned are left-handed pitcher Joe Rock and right-handed pitcher Jesse Scholtens.
Rays make several cuts at spring training
Being reassigned to minor league camp are two right-handed pitchers: Andrew Wantz and Kodi Whitley.
Mesa was acquired this offseason in a trade with the Miami Marlins, with infielder Angel Brachi being dealt to the National League East squad. He offers some intriguing upside with a solid mix of power and speed.
However, his opportunities were limited during spring training. He received only five plate appearances in two games, recording two hits, one of which was a double, with one RBI and one stolen base.
His rookie eligibility is still intact for 2026. The same goes for Rock, who made his debut in 2025 with three Big League appearances. He did well, throwing 7.2 innings and allowing only two earned runs.
Being optioned to the minors speaks volumes to how deep the Rays’ bullpen is. Rock performed incredibly well during spring training, making five appearances and throwing 5.0 innings with nine strikeouts. Walks were his only issue, handing out six of them.
More cuts for #Rays, trimming roster to 52:
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 11, 2026
Optioned to minor league camp:
OF Victor Mesa Jr.,
LHP Joe Rock
RHP Jesse Scholtens
Reassigned to minor-league camp:
RHP Andrew Wantz
RHP Kodi Whitley
If a need arises for a relief pitcher, he could be one of the first in line for a promotion.
Scholtens did not fare as well during the exhibition season. He made three appearances, throwing 4.1 innings, and recorded an ugly 8.31 ERA.
Wantz had several opportunities during spring training and was a mixed bag. In six outings and 6.2 innings, he gave up seven runs, four of which were earned, and two home runs. He has not appeared in a Major League game since the 2024 campaign.
Whitley has been out of the Big Leagues even longer, last pitching at that level in 2022 with the Atlanta Braves. He struggled this spring with a 10.13 ERA in 5.1 innings, but he did have nine strikeouts.
Kenneth Teape is an alumnus of SUNY Old Westbury and graduated in 2013 with an Honors Degree in Media Communications with a focus on print journalism. During his time at Old Westbury, he worked for the school newspaper and several online publications, such as Knicks Now, the official website of the New York Knicks, and a self-made website with fellow students, Gotham City Sports News. Kenneth has also been a site expert at Empire Writes Back, Musket Fire, and Lake Show Life within the FanSided Network. He was a contributor to HoopsHabit, with work featured on Bleacher Report and Yardbarker. Previously, he is a reporter for both NBA Analysis Network and NFL Analysis Network, as well as a writer and editor for Packers Coverage. You can follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @teapester725, or reach him via email at teapester725@gmail.com.