The Rays and White Sox have announced a one-man trade that sends the lefty reliever Joe Rock from Tampa Bay to Chicago. A minor league pitcher Oliver Dunn he goes to Misebeni; Dunn was not on Chicago’s 40-man roster.
Chicago optioned Rock to Triple-A Charlotte and was traded Kyle Teel on the 60-day injured list to make room for the 40-man. That’s a procedural move, as the 60-day window goes back to opening day. Teel won’t be back until late June after suffering a sprained LCL in his left knee over the weekend.
A 6’6″ southpaw, Rock was selected by Colorado in the second round in 2021. The Rays acquired him in Spring Training 2024 from the former first baseman. Greg Jones. Rock spent that season working out of the Triple-A rotation, struggling to a 4.58 earned run average. He made a very short MLB debut last summer, pitching 7 2/3 innings of two-run ball and 11 strikeouts in three appearances.
Rock otherwise spent the season in a pinch hitting role in Triple-A, posting a 5.21 ERA in 96 2/3 frames. The Rays let him go this year in the hope that his stuff will go 1-2. The Rock missed a lot of at-bats, striking out 27 of 78 batters (34.6%) in the minors.
His 92.9 mph fastball is nowhere near where it sat last year, however, and Rock has struggled with the worst control of his career. He has walked 17 batters and struck out four more, giving up free passes to more than a quarter of the batters he has faced. The Rock has allowed 10 runs (nine earned) in 15 Triple-A innings this year.
The lack of strikeouts pushed the Ohio University product to the edges of the list. The Rays did not designate Rock for assignment but were so impressed with him that they are willing to get him a deep league contract. Chicago will see if a change of location can get him on the right track. The Rock is in his second year of three options, so there is still some flexibility in plans.
Sean Newcomb again Bryan Hudson they hit it well as Will Venable came forward with two lefts. Bring on the Sox Brandon Eisert back in Charlotte last week as the third southpaw in the MLB bullpen. Tyler Schweitzer, Tyler Gilbert again Chris Murphy they are on the 40 man roster and doing optional work. The Sox certainly have no shortage of bullpen left arms.
Dunn is a 28-year-old infielder who has appeared at the MLB level with the Brewers since 2024-25. The left-handed batter has a .206/.261/.290 slash with one home run in 145 career plate appearances. Milwaukee sent Dunn off waivers last September and allowed him to leave as a major league free agent. He signed a non-designation agreement with the Sox in December.
After struggling to a .208/.315/.338 line in Triple-A last year, Dunn is off to a much better start this season. He hit .296/.397/.533 with eight homers in 40 games for Charlotte. Dunn takes a lot of pitches and has shown solid numbers on base in Double-A. He is primarily a third player who can play in midfield when needed and has left field experience in the minors.
The Rays just lost one of their lefty bench bats there Jake Fraley he suffered a sports hernia that required surgery. They are also slightly lacking in the infield with Ben Williamson every day with back tightness. Tampa Bay could add Dunn directly to the MLB bench if Williamson needs the injured list. They don’t have any deep infielders on the Triple-A voluntary assignment, and Dunn has some infield depth pieces. Logan Davidson again Raynel Delgado. Tampa Bay has a few spots on the 40-man roster if they want to pick up Dunn’s contract.
