Tampa Bay Rays Make Flurry Of Roster Moves Friday

The Tampa Bay Rays are still reeling from a game they had in the bag, with a 5-1 lead through seven, but dropped in extra innings, 8-7 to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. It resulted in the Phillies' first sweep of the season, and the third time the Rays have been swept in 2025.

With their eyes firmly set on the three-game weekend set with the Milwaukee Brewers that is next on deck, Tampa Bay made a flurry of roster moves ahead of the contest. 

The Tampa Bay Rays have selected RHP Connor Seabold from Triple-A Durham and optioned RHP Mason Englert to Durham. To make room on the 40-man roster, INF Ha-Seong Kim (recovery from right shoulder surgery) has been transferred to the 60-day IL.

— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) May 9, 2025

The team selected the contract of former top prospect Connor Seabold from the Triple-A Durham Bulls, optioned pitcher Mason Englert, and transferred infielder Ha-Seong Kim to the 60-day injured list to make room for Seabold on the 40-man roster.

Kim has yet to make his debut for the Rays. He is recovering from shoulder surgery that he underwent in October and is not expected back until the end of May or early June. Tampa signed the infielder to a one-year, $13 million contract over the offseason with a player option for 2026.

Seabold, 29, also signed with the Rays over the offseason. The pitcher will soon make his debut for the team, marking the third organization he has played with throughout his Major League career.

Congrats to Connor Seabold on being promoted to The Show!

He's the 7th different Bulls player to go up to the Rays this season ???????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/dHRJvtH0HC

— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) May 9, 2025

Seabold enters 2025 with a career ERA of 8.12 across 108 2/3 innings in 33 games (19 starts) with 86 strikeouts and a 60 ERA+.

Englert, 25, is also in his first year with Tampa. He has struggled to find consistency on the mound, pitching to a 6.00 ERA this year across 18 innings in 11 games with 18 strikeouts and a 68 ERA+.