Triple-A Durham placed Waguespack on its 7-day injured list May 26 due to an unspecified injury.
Waguespack made four appearances (one start) for the Rays in 2024, but he's pitched exclusively out of the Triple-A bullpen this season since being optioned to Durham coming out of spring training. The 31-year-old righty turned in an 0.46 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB in 19.2 innings with Durham before landing on the shelf.
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Rays' Jacob Waguespack: Sent to Durham
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Waguespack to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
Despite putting just six baserunners on and striking out seven over six innings in Grapefruit League play, Waguespack was unable to secure a spot in Tampa Bay's Opening Day bullpen. The 31-year-old righty will begin the season at Durham, where he could operate as a swingman after starting in four of his nine appearances for the affiliate in 2024.
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Rays' Jacob Waguespack: Signs contract extension
Rotowire
The Rays signed Waguespack to a one-year, $1.3 million contract extension with a $1.5 million club option for 2026 on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Waguespack, 31, missed much of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury, but during his time at Triple-A Durham he had a 32:5 K:BB over 22 innings. The right-hander finished the season healthy and should compete for an Opening Day roster spot, perhaps in a swingman role.
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Rays' Jacob Waguespack: Kicks off rehab assignment
Rotowire
Waguespack (shoulder) gave up an earned run on two hits and no walks over one inning in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Friday.
Waguespack's appearance marked his first game action at any level since June 25, when he was pulled off a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League after experiencing a lower-back issue. The right-hander was initially placed on the injured list May 6 with right rotator cuff inflammation. Waguespack likely doesn't have enough time to get fully stretched back out for a starting role, so if he returns from the 60-day IL this season, he'll presumably serve as a reliever.
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Rays' Jacob Waguespack: Aims to resume mound work this week
Rotowire
Waguespack (shoulder/back) is hopeful to resume throwing bullpen sessions by Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
Initially placed on the injured list May 6 with right rotator cuff inflammation, Waguespack was cleared to make a rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on June 25, only to fall victim to a lower-back issue that has kept him from pitching in a game ever since. He received injections Aug. 5 to address the back issue, and assuming the shots had the desired effect, Waguespack will take the next step forward in his throwing program by getting back on the mound this week. Even though the Rays likely envision Waguespack serving as a multi-inning reliever rather than a starter when he returns from the IL, he'll still likely need multiple weeks to complete a throwing progression and minor-league rehab assignment.
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Rays' Jacob Waguespack: Resumes throwing program
Rotowire
Waguespack (shoulder) resumed his long-toss progression Friday, MLB.com reports.
Waguespack has been sidelined since April 12 and previously had his rehab shut down. However, he's resumed throwing and could toss a bullpen session at some point during the week of July 29.
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Rays' Jacob Waguespack: Set to begin rehab assignment
Rotowire
Waguespack (shoulder) is scheduled to throw one inning for the rookie-level Flordia Complex League Rays on Tuesday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.
Waguespack landed on the 15-day injured list May 6 due to right shoulder inflammation, and he was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 18. His last outing before the injury was May 2 with Triple-A Durham, when he allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out seven over five innings.
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Rays' Jacob Waguespack: Sharp in no-decision
Rotowire
Waguespack came away with a no-decision in Friday's 2-1 win over the Giants, allowing one unearned run on four hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out four.
Making his first start of the season, Waguespack wasn't stretched out enough to qualify for the win -- he got lifted after 71 pitches (45 strikes) -- but he certainly pitched well enough to earn one. The 30-year-old right-hander has had a bumpy beginning to 2024, posting a 5.40 ERA and 11:10 K:BB through 10 innings, but this performance may keep him in the mix for further spot starts or bulk relief assignments.
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Rays' Jacob Waguespack: Slated for long relief
Rotowire
Waguespack will open the season in a long-relief role for the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
He had been competing for a spot in the rotation, but the Rays have picked Tyler Alexander for that role. Waguespack holds a career 5.08 ERA and 79:38 K:BB over 13 starts and 14 relief appearances at the major-league level.
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Rays' Jacob Waguespack: Added to roster
Rotowire
The Rays selected Waguespack's contract from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Waguespack had inked a minor-league contract this offseason following a two-year stint in Japan and has earned a spot on the major-league roster after allowing three runs with a 6:1 K:BB over five innings this spring. The 30-year-old right-hander is a candidate to make some starts early on in the season while Taj Bradley (pectoral) is sidelined.
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Rays' Jacob Waguespack: Option for rotation
Rotowire
Waguespack is one of the candidates for the Rays' rotation while Taj Bradley (pectoral) is sidelined, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Waguespack signed a minor-league contract with the Rays in January following a two-year stint in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with the Orix Buffaloes. The 30-year-old has experience as a starter and a reliever and holds a 5.40 ERA and 6:1 K:BB over five innings this spring. Waguespack might not be stretched out enough to be used as a traditional starter, but he could perhaps work as an opener or bulk reliever.
