The 5 most surprising MLB players that were DFA’d on Tuesday

Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough – Tampa Bay Rays

For a few years now, Ryan Yarbrough was a key figure to the Tampa Bay Rays’ pitching staff. He was a rookie in 2018 when he became known for being part of the concept of an “opener.” Yarbrough was often the “reliever” that came in and ate up some innings after the “opener” was employed.

He went 16-6 with a 3.91 ERA in 38 games (six starts, in the true sense of the word). He was used in a similar role in 2019 and in 2020, he was truly one of their key starters. He was their starter in Game 3 of the ALCS and Game 4 of the World Series (along with relief appearances in Game 1 and Game 6).

He has struggled more in 2021 and 2022, though. In 2022, he made 20 appearances (nine starts) and in 80 innings, he had a 4.50 ERA with a 4.77 FIP.

He is entering his second season of being arbitration-eligible, which is why the Rays DFA’d him (he would have been much more expensive in 2023).

Outfielder Stone Garrett – Arizona Diamondbacks

Stone Garrett was called up by the Arizona Diamondbacks in late August after he put together a good season with Triple-A Reno.

There, he had played in 103 games and he hit .275/.332/.568 with 28 home runs, 95 RBI, 22 doubles, and 15 stolen bases. In the majors, he played in 27 games (84 plate appearances) and he hit .276/.309/.539 with four home runs, 10 RBI, eight doubles, and three stolen bases. He had an OPS+ of 136 and an rWAR of 0.5.

With those numbers, it was a bit surprising that he was DFA’d. His inexperience and age (he will be 26 in a few days) probably was the reason behind his DFA or, perhaps, Arizona wants to keep him but on a minor league deal but his success in 2022 makes him one of the more interesting DFA’s.