Rays Pitcher Cuts Ties With Team Just 3 Days After Disastrous Debut

BusinessSportsMoneyRays Pitcher Cuts Ties With Team Just 3 Days After Disastrous DebutByPeter Chawaga,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Chawaga is a writer and editor covering Major League Baseball.Follow AuthorJun 05, 2026, 08:30am EDTBRADENTON, FL - MARCH 02: Andrew Wantz (50) of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch during a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 02, 2026 at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe Tampa Bay Rays have remained in the American League playoff picture despite dealing with constant turnover throughout their pitching staff. As injuries and performance fluctuations have forced the club to shuffle relievers between Triple-A Durham and the major-league roster, several pitchers have received brief opportunities to prove themselves and not all of those debuts have gone as the team and its players might have hoped.ForbesYankees’ 6-Time All Star Sends Mets’ Marcus Semien Message As Concerns MountBy Peter ChawagaTampa Bay Rays Pitcher Cuts Ties With Team Shortly After Brutal OutingThat proved to be the case for veteran right-hander Andrew Wantz, whose stint with the Rays’ big-league club ended almost immediately after a difficult debut, leading him to cut ties with the team in search of a new deal.“Wantz was DFA'd by Tampa Bay after he gave up five earned runs in just 1.2 innings Saturday, and he'll now look to free agency for his next opportunity,” CBS Sports reported earlier this week. “The 30-year-old has also struggled in the minors this season, posting a 7.04 ERA and 1.78 WHIP through 23 innings at Triple-A Durham, so he will almost certainly have to settle for another minor-league deal.”The outing marked Wantz's only appearance for the Rays after joining the organization last year. He was a non-roster Spring Training invitee following a season in the Ray’s minor-leag...