Kevin

Gadea

Gadea was excellent last year in his return to professional baseball with the Yankees after missing nearly five years due to injuries, but struggled mightily this season, allowing 29 runs (20 earned) with a 15/17 K/BB ratio across 15 1/3 innings (11 appearances) for Double-A Binghamton. The 27-year-old righty has yet to reach the majors.

Gadea appeared poised to blossom into a lights-out reliever with the Mariners and Rays before persistent elbow injuries nearly ended his career. The 27-year-old righty inked a minor-league deal with the Yankees last February, and went on to make his first appearances since 2016; posting a solid 2.61 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 58/23 K/BB ratio across 41 1/3 innings between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre.

Gadea held a promising 2.36 ERA, 1.019 WHIP, and 95/14 K/BB ratio in 68 2/3 innings this summer between the rookie-level Arizona League and the Low-A Midwest League. The 22-year-old right-hander could compete for a spot in Tampa Bay’s bullpen next spring. He has been used primarily as a starter in the lower minors.

The 22-year-old right-hander is a Rule 5 selection from the Mariners who was expected to make the Opening Day bullpen. Instead, he’ll begin the season on the disabled list and then have ample time to rehab before the Rays will have to make a decision on him.

The Rays had been set to offer the Rule 5 pick back to the Mariners, but instead they’ll stash him on the DL. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Derek Norris.

This is nothing more than a procedural move. The 22-year-old hurler missed the entire 2017 season due to elbow troubles.