Nate Eovaldi has the potential to be one of the better starting pitching options in baseball, and taking in account it is still spring training, he has looked dominant and has heavily impressed during first two outings of the year.

Yesterday afternoon against the New York Yankees, Eovaldi tallied two innings pitched, allowing two hits but also picking up a couple of strikeouts, walking none. He flashed his high velocity, touching triple digits during his second inning of work. That combined his hard breaking stuff, Eovaldi looks very dominant thus far.

On the offensive side of things, notable performances from Mallex Smith (three hits), Jake Bauers, and Brandon Snyder (multi-hit games). Peter Maris launched a three run HR in the top of the 9th for the final runs of the game for Tampa Bay as they defeated New York, 9-1.

Following the game, Kevin Cash raved about Mallex Smith’s day, as well as several of the pitchers, noting Eovaldi and Yonny Chirinos.

Rays Links

• Nate Eovaldi is looking join a short list of 31 pitchers that have returned after undergoing two Tommy John surgeries. Of those pitchers, only two have made more than 15 starts after their return.
• Christian Arroyo is a major league ball player thanks to the tireless work of his mother who did everything she could to get him to where he is today
• Nick Ciuffo is fine after having to get stitches from a backswing that caught him in the head, however, he will not be allowed to play in anymore of the Rays major league spring training games due to a recent rule change regarding his suspension
• Bill Chastian spotlighted Rays OF prospect, Justin Williams, on the Rays official website

“He can impact a baseball like not too many in our entire organization,” Rays farm director Mitch Lukevics said. “It jumps off his bat and it can go to left field, center field, right field. He has power to all fields.”

• The Rays finalized their signing of OF Carlos Gomez, to clear space on the 40-man roster, INF Ryan Schimpf was designated for assignment
• Leading into the weekend, the Rays revealed renovations done to the Northwest Little League fields
• Dave Schoenfield says that money isn’t always the problem when small-market teams struggle, spotlighting the Pirates and Rays
• Mat Germain landed an interview with Rays OF prospect and 1st round selection of the 2015 draft, Garrett Whitley

Other Links

• The Oakland Athletics designated Brandon Moss for assignment. Moss states that he may now retire if he isn’t able to find a major league opportunity elsewhere

Rays Frivolous Tidbits

• On this date in 2016, the Rays shockingly signed Dan Johnson to a minor league deal as the team legend attempted to resurrect his career as a knuckle ball pitcher. He would be released just a month after being signed.
• Happy birthday to former Rays LHP, Eric Bedard, who turns 39 years old today. Bedard finished his 11 year long career with the Rays in 2014, appearing in 17 games (15 starts), before being released in early August.