Evan

Reifert

Since Reifert is being returned to the Rays that means that he cleared waivers after being made available to the other teams in the league. The 25-year-old was impressive in Double-A for the Rays last season, posting a 1.96 ERA and 65/16 K/BB in 41 1/3 innings. He will likely head to Triple-A this season for Tampa Bay.

Reifert was terrific in Double-A for the Rays last year and entered camp with a great chance of making the Nationals pen, but he’s given up five runs in 3 2/3 innings so far. Hopefully, the walks are a one day thing. He issued only one in his previous three appearances.

Reifert was very impressive in the minors with a 1.96 ERA and 65/16 K/BB with Double-A Montgomery across 35 appearances and 41 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old will get a chance to show if his stuff translates with the Nationals in the Grapefruit League.

None of these players are considered top prospects, though Reifert is the most familiar name after coming over from the Brewers in the Mike Brosseau trade in November of 2021. The 23-year-old had an uneven year in the Rays’ minor league system last year, though he finished on a high note in the Arizona Fall League.

Reifert recorded a pristine 2.10 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 103/36 K/BB ratio across 60 innings (37 relief appearances) between Low-A Carolina and High-A Wisconsin in the Brewers’ system last season. The 22-year-old righty projects as a versatile multi-inning reliever in the future.