Zac

Houston

Houston is merely extra organizational depth for the Phillies as he’ll get more of an opportunity in their system than he would’ve with Triple-A Durham’s crowded staff in Tampa Bay’s system. The 29-year-old righty posted a serviceable 4.43 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 73/28 K/BB ratio across 42 2/3 innings (37 appearances) this past season in the upper levels of the Yankees’ minor league system.

The Rays continue to make their Spring Training cuts and their latest batch contains four right-handed relievers. Brigden spent the 2023 season with Triple-A Durham and where he posted a solid 3.46 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 95/40 K/BB ratio across 78 innings. He made four appearances during spring camp and pitched 4 1/3 innings with a save and eight strikeouts.

Houston will compete in spring training for a spot in Tampa Bay’s season-opening bullpen after posted a respectable 4.43 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 73/28 K/BB ratio across 42 2/3 innings (37 appearances) this past season in the upper levels of the Yankees’ minor league system.

Houston was an 11th round pick of the Tigers from the 2016 draft and spent the first six seasons of his minor league career there. He struggled for most of the 2022 campaign, posting a 5.47 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and an 88/40 K/BB ratio over 52 2/3 innings. He’ll add minor league bullpen depth for the Yankees.