The Rays are signing Jake Diekman to a major league deal according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Diekman would take over a left handed reliever role in the Rays bullpen now that Garrett Cleavinger appears set to miss the rest of the season due to an ACL injury.
The 36-year-old Diekman began the season with the White Sox but they released him after 13 outings in which he had a 7.94 ERA. His deal with the Rays would figure to be at the league minimum as already has a $3.5 million salary and a $1 million buyout option for the 2024 season. The White Sox will be on the hook for that amount minus whatever the Rays pay Diekman.
Diekman has had an ERA over 4.00 in three of the five seasons prior to this one. For his career he holds a record of 25-30 with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.
His signing is a low risk move by the Rays who will be looking for anything to lessen the loss of Cleavinger.
