The Rays announced that right-hander has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list and that the two sides have agreed to an extension, though no details of the new deal were provided. The club also noted that righty cleared waivers and elected free agency. Waguespack, who turns 31 tomorrow, has le s than three years of service time and is therefore not close to the six years nece sary to reach free agency. However, he did spent 2022 and 2023 pitching in Japan. Players coming back from overseas often have clauses in their contracts that allow them to become free agents regardle s of service time considerations. Waguespack signed a minor league deal with the Rays in January of 2024 and was selected to the roster early in March. Earlier today, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times noted that the Rays had a $1.3MM club option on Waguespack for 2025. Later, Topkin provided an update in that Waguespack will indeed make $1.3MM next year with a $1.5MM club option for 2026. Its an interesting show of faith in Waguespack, as he didnt pitch much this year. He to sed ten Mike Brosseau Jersey innings for the Rays over four appearances but the last of those was on April 12, with the righty being optioned to Triple-A after that. He was recalled in May to be placed on the 60-day injured list due to right rotator cuff inflammation. He was sent on a rehab a signment in June but made just one appearance at that time, starting another rehab a signment in September that lasted six outings. After such an injury-marred season, theres not much for the Rays to go on. He posted a 5.01 earned run average in his 23 1/3 minor league innings and a 5.40 ERA in his major league work. Presumably, they still like what they saw of Waguespacks results in Japan. Over his two years in Nippon Profe sional Baseball, Waguespack had a 4.02 ERA in 116 1/3 innings. He struck out 29% of batters faced with a 10.8% walk rate. Theyll keep Waguespack around at a modest price point with the club option giving them some future upside if the bet pays off. Kuhnel, 30 in February, was just claimed off waivers by the Rays in July. He has been bouncing around the league in recent years, having gone from the Reds to the Astros, Blue Jays, Brewers and then Rays via waiver claims, small trades or minor league deals since June of 2023. As a player who has been outrighted in the past, he had the right to elect free agency this time and has exercised that right. He will now look for his next club, which will most likely come on a minor league deal. He has strong velocity but has turned that into more ground balls than strikeouts thus far. In 93 2/3 big league innings, he has a 5.86 ERA, 18.7% strikeout rate, 5.9% walk rate and 52% ground ball rate. Hes now out of options, which will limit his roster flexibility going forward. Janson Junk Jersey