Rays face tough roster decisions by Friday deadline

The Rays are working toward an 8 p.m. Friday deadline to create four-six spots on their 40-man roster to add prospects in order to protect them from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

Players expected to be added include LHP Blake Snell, RHPs Taylor Guerrieri and Jacob Faria, INF/OF Taylor Motter and potentially one or two more.

While trades would be preferred, the Rays may be looking at releasing, outrighting or designating for assignment several players who were a part of their 2015 team to potentially improve their future.

Players who could be dropped include OFs Daniel Nava and Joey Butler, Ps Kirby Yates and (injured) Grayson Garvin and either C J.P. Arencibia or Rene Rivera. RHPs Brandon Gomes could be another.

Here is the current breakdown of the 40-man roster, players out of options marked with an X:

PITCHERS (19)

Matt Andriese

x-Chris Archer

Andrew Bellatti

x-Brad Boxberger

x-Xavier Cedeno (L)

Alex Cobb

x-Alex Colome

Danny Farquhar

Grayson Garvin (L)

Steve Geltz

x-Brandon Gomes

x-Jake McGee (L)

Matt Moore (L)

Jake Odorizzi

x-Erasmo Ramirez

x-Enny Romero (L)

Burch Smith

Drew Smyly (L)

Kirby Yates

CATCHERS (5)

J.P. Arencibia

Curt Casali

Luke Maile

Justin O'Conner

x-Rene Rivera

INFIELDERS (9)

Tim Beckham

Ryan Brett

Logan Forsythe

Nick Franklin

James Loney

Evan Longoria

Brad Miller

Logan Morrison

Richie Shaffer

OUTFIELDERS (7)

Joey Butler

x-Brandon Guyer

Desmond Jennings

Kevin Kiermaier

Mikie Mahtook

x-Daniel Nava

Steven Souza Jr.