Andrew Wantz: Everything you need to know

The Rays selected Wantz's contract from Triple-A Durham on Friday. Wantz will join a big-league squad for the first time since 2024 after missing all of last season coming off elbow surgery. With Triple-A Durham, Wantz posted a 7.04 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB in 23 innings. Tampa Bay optioned Carson Williams in order to make room for Wantz on the active roster.

The Rays reassigned Wantz to minor-league camp Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Wantz missed most of the 2025 season while completing his recovery from the elbow surgery he required in July 2024, but the right-hander was able to wrap up the campaign with seven scoreless innings at Triple-A Durham. Though he headed into spring training at full health, Wantz wasn't able to win a spot in the Rays' Opening Day bullpen after giving up seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks across 6.2 innings in the Grapefruit League. Wantz -- who owns a career 3.88 ERA over parts of four seasons with the Angels from 2021 through 2024 -- will need to pitch effectively at Durham to begin the 2026 campaign before potentially receiving a call-up to the Rays.

Wantz (elbow) threw a scoreless inning and struck out one during Saturday's game against Triple-A Gwinnett. Wantz was officially activated from the 60-day injured list Sept. 1 after recovering from right elbow surgery. He's looked sharp in three appearances since his return to Triple-A, firing three scoreless frames while registering two strikeouts and one walk.