Edwin

Uceta

Matz fortifies Tampa Bay’s relief depth after compiling a strong 3.05 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 59/11 K/BB ratio across 76 2/3 innings over 53 appearances between the Cardinals and Red Sox this past season. The 34-year-old southpaw has excelled since transitioning to a full-time relief role but his fantasy appeal is virtually non-existent since he’s mostly toiling away in middle relief. The Rays are expected to roll with a closer-by-committee strategy next season with Edwin Uceta, Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger sharing the role.

The Rays entered the ninth with a three-run lead, and Eric Orze was allowed to start the inning for a two-inning save. However, he allowed a home run and double to begin the frame, and Uceta was called on to put out the fire. Instead, Uceta allowed four singles to load the bases with one out and the Rays clinging to a one-run lead. At that point, he buckled down and struck out both Brent Rooker and Nick Kurtz to end the game and get his first save of the season. He remains firmly in the high-leverage mix in Tampa Bay and could pick up a stray save here or there when Pete Fairbanks is unavailable, like today.

It’s probably time to forget about Uceta earning saves early on this season. He’s given up as many earned runs (seven) and homers (two) in 6 2/3 innings this spring as he did in 41 2/3 regular-season innings last year. At least Uceta is out of options, so the Rays can’t stash him away in Triple-A. We wouldn’t write him off for the season, but those in shallow mixed leagues should probably look elsewhere on draft day. Pete Fairbanks, on the other hand, should be moving up draft boards.

Uceta allowed three hits and walked one while getting just two whiffs on 17 swings. He came into the day having allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings, so it hasn’t been a bad spring overall. Still, he wouldn’t seem to be gaining on Pete Fairbanks, who pitched a scoreless inning today. Fairbanks has allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings.

Uceta was perfect in his first two appearances, but he was pulled before he could get a third out today. It’s a little misstep as he tries to overtake Pete Fairbanks for save chances in the Rays pen.

Uceta spent the second half of last season looking like the Rays’ best reliever, and he was rewarded with five save chances, all of them successful, down the stretch. The Rays might favor Pete Fairbanks over him in the closer’s role to begin this season, but Uceta looks like the better fantasy pick from here.

Uceta has come out of seemingly nowhere to grab five saves and six holds for the Rays since August 1st. His sinker and changeup are so unique and nearly indistinguishable until the last moment from his almost pure side-arm release. The Rays have truly done it again as Uceta is surely to be in their high leverage mix for next season.

This one got tight in a hurry. Uceta walked Alejandro Kirk to start the ninth inning and then gave up consecutive hits to Ernie Clement and George Springer to put the tying run on third base with one out. Yet, he found his way out of trouble and grabbed his third save in seven days.

This was Uceta’s first appearance since his implosion and… incident against the Phillies on Tuesday. He showed that outing was just a bump in the road as he was dominant yet again. His sinker was zipping all over the zone and the Guardians had no answer for the Rays’ newest bullpen revelation.

Uceta was suspended for two games after hitting Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos intentionally. Rays manager Kevin Cash was suspended for one game. Uceta has a 1.49 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings on the year.