The Tampa Bay Rays made two signings Thursday afternoon to start preparing their roster for next season.
Coming aboard are a former left-handed Houston Astros pitcher and a former infielder in the Cleveland and Milwaukee systems.
The moves were reported by beat reporter Marc Topkin. The Rays have signed LHP John Rooney and IF Raynel Delgao to minor league contracts with invites to big league spring training.
Rooney is a 6-foot-5, 28-year old southpaw from Melrose, New York. He attended Hofstra University on Long Island, and he was a third-round pick by the Dodgers in 2018.
Rooney made it to the majors for his MLB debut in 2025, throwing in just one outing for the Astros. He allowed a run in 1.1 innings while striking out two.
In his minor league career, Rooney has a 3.84 ERA and has averaged 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
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Delgado is a 25-year old out of Cuba who bats left and throws right. He attended high school at Calvary Christian Academy in Florida, and Cleveland made him a sixth-round pick in 2018.
Delgado was with the Guardians' organization through 2024. He spent 2025 with the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate in Nashville.
At Nashville, Delgado hit.281 with 19 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 40 stolen bases in 125 games. He can also play all over the infield.
Delgado feels like the type of player the Rays pick up and find a real use for. And Rooney is a lanky lefty, always a valuable commodity. Not a bad pair of pickups for Tampa Bay.
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