Rays Select Nick Madrigal

The Rays have selected the contract of infielder Nick Madrigal, per a team announcement. He’ll replace Taylor Walls, who is headed to the 10-day IL with a right hip flexor strain. Tampa Bay also shared that infielder Oliver Dunn has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A.

To clear a 40-man spot for Madrigal, the Rays designated reliever Hunter Bigge for assignment. The righty has split the season between the majors and Triple-A.

Madrigal opened the season in the Angels organization. He received a chance in the majors after Yoán Moncada and Nolan Schanuel went down with injuries in May. The veteran infielder spent four weeks with the big-league club. He posted a 105 wRC+ in 15 games with the Angels. As has been typical in his career, Madrigal’s offensive contributions centered on good plate discipline and solid on-base skills.

The Angels moved on from Madrigal when Jorge Soler returned from the IL in late June. He passed through waivers after being designated for assignment and quickly latched on with Tampa Bay. Madrigal put together a strong two-month stretch at Triple-A Durham, slashing .318/.410/.408 with a couple of homers and eight steals.

Walls opened the season on the injured list with a strained oblique. He returned in early April and has been Tampa Bay’s primary shortstop since then. Walls has an ugly 71 wRC+, but he’s provided speed and tremendous defense. The 30-year-old topped 20 steals for the second time in his six-year career. Walls has racked up 19 Defensive Runs Saved, making him one of the most valuable defenders in the league. Brewers second baseman Brice Turang is the only infielder with more DRS than Walls this season.

Madrigal split his time evenly between second base and shortstop with the Bulls. He’s only played second and third in the majors, but could contribute at both middle infield spots in Tampa Bay. Jorge Mateo is a candidate for increased work at shortstop, though he’s struggled both offensively and defensively in a small sample with the club.

Bigge didn’t break camp with the team, but was up by early April. He scuffled to a 6.98 ERA across 18 appearances. His ERA has remained above 6.00 at Triple-A. Bigge was once an intriguing prospect in the Cubs system. He came to Tampa Bay in the Isaac Paredes trade. Bigge has posted big strikeout numbers, but struggled with control for much of his career. He hasn’t been outrighted before, so he’ll remain in the organization if he passes through waivers.