Joe

Rock

Rock hasn’t pitched in the big leagues this season after making three relief appearances for the Rays last year, striking out 11 and allowing two runs over 7 2/3 innings of work. The 25-year-old southpaw has struggled to an inflated 5.40 ERA and 27/17 K/BB ratio over 15 innings at Triple-A Round Rock this season.

That’s not great news. Matz looked good on Sunday, allowing one run in six innings to lower his ERA to 3.86 and his WHIP to 1.10. Obviously, he did not respond well after the start, so we’ll have to wait and see how long he will be sidelined for. The Rays are in the process of stretching out Griffin Jax and Mason Englert (forearm) as starters, and Joe Boyle (elbow) is on the injured list, so they may have to turn to Joe Rock or Ian Seymour to take at least one start in Matz’s place.

Rock was up to add a fresh arm to the bullpen for a couple of days, though he didn’t wind up appearing in a ballgame. He’ll continue to function as extra pitching depth for the Rays at the Triple-A level.

Rock is carrying an unsightly 19.29 ERA in the early going at Triple-A Durham, but had a 2.35 ERA in three appearances for the Rays last year. He’s here to soak up innings if necessary before Drew Rasmussen is activated tomorrow.

Mesa Jr. was acquired from the Marlins this offseason and went 2-for-5 in his brief spring appearances. He’s yet to show more than some modest batting average upside during his minor league career. Rock was a former top 10 prospect in the Rays’ organization, but he posted a 5.21 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 88/39 K/BB ratio in 96 2/3 innings at Triple-A last season, so he’ll get another shot at that level in 2026. The Rays also reassigned RHPs Andrew Wantz and Kodi Whitley to minor league camp.

Rock threw 52 pitches on Wednesday, allowing one run and one hit in 2 2/3 innings while striking out two and walking two. The Rays will be looking to add a fresh arm to the bullpen, so Rock will head to the minors with a 2.35 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings for the Rays this season.

Rock returns to Tampa Bay’s relief corps ahead of Saturday’s game against the Guardians with Brian Van Belle hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation. The 25-year-old righty has made two appearances at the highest level this season.

The 25-year-old southpaw has done a decent job in his first two appearances with the Rays, posting a 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 9/0 K/BB ratio across five innings of work. It shouldn’t take him long to earn another opportunity with the big league club.

After last night’s trade, the Rays have open roster spots and are calling Rock up. The 25-year-old has made two relief appearances with Tampa Bay this season but has also made 15 starts at Triple-A, so it remains to be seen what role the Rays have in mind for him.

Rock returns to the minors after making just one two-inning relief outing for Tampa Bay since being called up last weekend. The 24-year-old southpaw will continue operating as a starter on the doorstep of the big leagues and figures to return at some point later this summer.