Right-hander Chase Anderson signed a minor league deal with the Rays a month ago, and is now going to exercise an opt-out clause in that contract, FanSided’s Robert Murray reports (Twitter link). Anderson came to Tampa Bay after opting out of another minors pact with the Tigers.
A veteran of the last eight MLB seasons, Anderson has yet to see any big league time in 2022, instead tossing a combined 80 innings at Triple-A. His work with the Rays’ affiliate in Durham (3.60 ERA in 10 innings) has been better than his 70 frames (4.63 ERA) with the Tigers’ top affiliate in Toledo, with Anderson delivering improved strikeout and walk rates over his short time in the Rays organization.
However, it would seem as if this performance didn’t put Anderson on Tampa Bay’s radar for a call-up to the majors, and so Anderson will hit the open market again in search of another opportunity. Anderson’s track record as a starting pitcher would theoretically provide some use to a team in need of rotation depth. In hindsight, it’s a little surprising that Detroit (crushed by pitching injuries all season long) didn’t call Anderson up to fill any of its many rotation vacancies.
Of course, recent results haven’t favored the 34-year-old, who posted a 6.94 ERA over 81 2/3 innings in the majors with the Blue Jays and Phillies in 2020-21. Hitters mashed 21 homers off Anderson in those 81 2/3 frames, and he has continued to have trouble with the long ball at the Triple-A level this year. Anderson has surrendered 16 homers in his 80 innings with Durham and Toledo.
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