Former Houston Astros reliever Chris Devenski has signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, per Jeff Passan. Devenski spent five seasons with the Astros from 2016-20.
Devenski was named an All-Star during the 2017 season and was regarded as one of the game's best relievers as he finished with a 2.68 ERA and struck out 100 hitters across 80 2/3 innings pitched.
The right-hander played a big part in Houston's championship run. He appeared in five games during the 2017 World Series, allowing four hits and four runs.
Devenski's time with the Astros came to an end after he was shut down during the 2020 season due to surgery on his right elbow.
The following January, he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Throughout the past two years, he's been on four different teams, including the Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels, and Rays.
In the 2023 season, he threw in nine games for Tampa Bay, posting a 2.08 ERA and 0.81 WHIP during 8 2/3 innings of work. He joined them after he was released by the Angels in August.
Following the year, Devenski elected to hit free agency before the Rays decided to bring him back on a one-year deal.
This is a signing that could be viewed as a depth move for their bullpen. When Devenski's at his best, he can eat up innings and get outs at a high level.
Unfortunately, due to injuries and other factors, that hasn't been the case for him since 2019. However, things could be changing as he threw more than 40 innings last season which was the most he's thrown since his last year with Houston.
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