Rays designate Grant Balfour for assignment

The Tampa Bay Rays have designated reliever Grant Balfour for assignment and selected the contract of right-hander Brandon Gomes from Triple-A Durham.

Balfour, who is being paid $7 million for his services, had a miserable outing in Saturday's 9-0 loss to the New York Yankees. The right-hander was the victim of a Chris Young grand slam in the seventh inning and displayed control issues by walking three batters and hitting another.

The 37-year-old has also been dealing with issues off the field after his father passed away early during spring training.

Balfour has a career 3.44 ERA to go along with 84 saves, and will likely catch on with another team.