Tampa Bay Rays DFA Arencibia, Nava, Gomes, Yates

The Tampa Bay Rays have made changes to their 40-man roster on Friday, designating catcher J.P. Arencibia, outfielder Daniel Nava, and right-handed pitchers Brandon Gomes and Kirby Yates for assignment. The Rays have announced they will add right-handers Jacob Faria, Taylor Guerrieri and German Marquez, accompanied by lefty Blake Snell and utility man Taylor Motter.

Arencibia did not see much time at the big league level in 2015, managing just 24 games with Tampa Bay. The 29-year old did well however, posting six home runs, 17 RBI and a .310 batting average in 73 plate appearances. The catcher has previously spent time in both Toronto and Texas, and is an interesting option for catching depth across the league.

Daniel Nava split time with the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays in 2015, totaling 60 games. The 32 year old struggled immensely, hitting a combined .194/.315/.245, managing just 27 hits in 139 at-bats. Nava was claimed off waivers by the Rays in August, and may catch on with another team, offering playoff experience and potential as a fourth outfielder.

Also designated for assignment was righty Brandon Gomes, who is coming off of a shaky 2015 campaign in Tampa Bay. The 31-year old appeared in 63 games, amassing a 2-6 record with a 4.27 ERA, striking out 44 and walking 15. His tendency to give up the long ball hurt him, allowing 10 home runs in 59 innings out of the Rays pen. Gomes possesses plenty of big league experience, and can certainly catch on with another club to provide a potential middle-relief option.

Right-hander Kirby Yates was also designated for assignment Friday, following a very rough 2015 season, which saw the 28-year old run up a 7.97 ERA in 20 appearances, allowing 10 home runs in just 20 innings of work. Despite clear struggle with command, Yates also posted 21 strikeouts this past season, and could catch on with another club with work to refine his strike zone command.

As far as the 40-man roster replacements, right-hander Jacob Faria looks to spend time with the big league club at some point in 2016. His stellar 2.29 combined ERA between High-A and Double-A in 2015 provides promise, and looks to be a potential September call-up, perhaps even earlier, shall Faria pitch well in Double-A and Triple-A, two levels the hurler will likely see to start 2016.

22-year old righty Taylor Guerrieri finds himself in a similar position, posting a stunning 1.85 ERA across High-A and Double-A in 2015, and looks to spend time with the Rays at some point in the upcoming season. This addition guarantees the right-hander an invitation to spring training.

German Marquez has also been added to the Rays’ 40-man roster, giving the 20-year old Venezuelan starter a new opportunity. Marquez put up a 7-13 record with a 3.56 ERA in High-A in 2015, and will look to continue to climb Tampa Bay’s minor league system.

Perhaps the most intriguing component of the transaction, 22-year old lefty Blake Snell has been placed on the 40-man roster. Snell put up a fantastic 2015 campaign in the minor leagues, striking out 163 in just 134 innings, accompanied with a 15-4 record and a ridiculous 1.41 ERA. The lefty is likely to see time in Tropicana Field at some point in 2016.

Taylor Motter was also added to the 40-man roster on Friday, as the 26 year old looks to break camp with the big league team in 2016. The utility man found success at Triple-A Durham in 2015, hitting .292/.366/.471, along with 14 HR and 72 RBI. Motter can prove to be a valuable bench piece, and can very feasibly see time with the Rays in 2016.