Tampa Bay Rays news and links: Souza has a healthy offseason

The Rays are one of several teams who have experimented with improving their pitching by limiting starters’ exposure multiple times through the order. Mike Petriello took a look at which starters don’t need that treatment—that is, who’s performance has remained steady when they face hitters for a third time? Former-Ray Matt Moore is one of the leaders.

This was from last week, but it’s a companion piece. Whose performance drops off most third time through the order? There’s a former Ray on this list too.

Other Links

• This is the equivalent of a “Best Shape Of His Life” trope, so take it with a grain of salt. But there can be truth to salt. Injury rehab is hard. Bill Chastain wrote about Steven Souza Jr.’s offseason, and how he’s not dealing with an injury this time, and how the more relaxed offseason may help him.
• Of course, that doesn’t mean Souza isn’t working. The best part of this by far is the sincerity in Souza’s voice when he says “Oof . . . yes we do.”

• David Laurila talked to major league managers about speed in baseball.
• Here’s a good, long piece, from Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, on the rise and fall of Jung Ho Kang, who was cut from his Dominican winter league team (h/t MLB Trade Rumors).