Rays look for roster space; opener moved
The Rays are working toward tonight's 8 o'clock deadline to clear 40-man roster space to add up to six prospects, including pitchers Blake Snell, Taylor Guerrieri and Jacob Faria and potentially infielder/outfielder Taylor Motter, to protect them from being taken in the upcoming Rule 5 draft.
Pending trades, players who could be dropped include outfielders Daniel Nava and Joey Butler, pitchers Kirby Yates and (injured) Grayson Garvin, and either catchers J.P. Arencibia or Rene Rivera. Right-hander Brandon Gomes could be another.
Also, the Rays' 2016 season opener against the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field was moved up a day, to Sunday, April 3, at 4:05 p.m., as part of ESPN's expanded opening day coverage. The Rays-Jays game, slated for ESPN2, will follow the MLB-opening Cardinals-Pirates game and precede the Mets-Royals World Series rematch.
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
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