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On Monday, the Rays acquired infielder Joey Wendle from the A’s in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
We've acquired INF Joey Wendle from Oakland in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. pic.twitter.com/IluFjxlMKU
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) December 11, 2017
Wendle, 27, was designated for assignment by Oakland on Dec. 7 after it signed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit. In 14 plate appearances at the major league level in 2017, the left-handed hitter batted .308 with a .973 OPS. In his career, he has a .266 average and .645 OPS in 118 plate appearances.
The 2012 sixth-round pick by Cleveland spent much of the 2017 season with Triple-A Nashville. He batted .285 with a .327 on-base percentage and .756 OPS. In 2,791 career minor league plate appearances, he’s batted .288 with a .338 OBP and .791 OPS.
Wendle has spent the majority of his professional career at second base, but he also has a handful of games at third base and shortstop.
He’ll presumably compete for a spot on the big league roster in 2018, but does have an option remaining, so he could be ticketed for Triple-A Durham.
In 2014, he was traded from Cleveland to Oakland in exchange for designated hitter Brandon Moss.
The team’s 40-man roster currently has 38 players.