Rays reunite with Odorizzi on minor-league deal

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed veteran right-hander Jake Odorizzi to a minor-league contract with an invitation to big-league camp, they announced Friday.

If he makes the team, Odorizzi will be paid a base salary of $1.5 million and could earn up to $500,000 in bonuses based on innings pitched, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Odorizzi, who turns 34 later this month, missed all of 2023 after undergoing shoulder surgery last April. In 2022, he posted a 4.40 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 86 strikeouts in 22 starts split between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves.

The Rays are familiar with Odorizzi: He spent 2013-17 - the bulk of his career - in their uniform. He still ranks top-10 in franchise history in almost every major statistical category.

Injury woes have left Tampa Bay in need of additional starting depth. Right-hander Taj Bradley will likely start the season on the injured list after suffering a pectoral strain last week; he'll join Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen, and Jeffrey Springs - all recovering from elbow surgeries - on the IL.

Odorizzi owns a lifetime 74-69 record with a 3.99 ERA, 4.16 FIP, 1.25 WHIP, and 1,172 strikeouts over 241 big-league appearances (237 starts) with five teams. The Illinois native was an All-Star with the Minnesota Twins in 2019 and helped the Astros win the American League pennant in 2021.