ST. PETERSBURG (SNN-TV) – Hours prior to the deadline to protect prospects from the Rule 5 Draft, the Rays began resolving their roster crunch by dealing the versatile Miles Mastrobuoni to the Cubs and clearing a spot on their 40-man roster.
Mastrobuoni, 27, was a player-development success story, as the 2016 14th-round MLB Draft pick rose through the ranks of Tampa Bay’s system as a do-it-all utility man and finally debuted for the Rays on Sept. 22. In return, the Rays received an intriguing relief prospect in RHP Alfredo Zárraga, who turns 22 on Nov. 16.
Zárraga signed with the Cubs out of Venezuela in January 2021 and made his professional debut this year, going 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings over 17 appearances for Single-A Myrtle Beach and High-A South Bend. He was placed on the injured list on Aug. 10 due to a fractured right hand and missed the rest of the season.