Jason

Adam

Adam will head to San Diego after procuring a 2.49 ERA and 50/16 K/BB over his 47 appearances with Tampa Bay in 2024. The right-hander has been one of the best high-leverage arms in baseball over the last few seasons, and he should serve as a bridge to Robert Suarez — with a few save chances himself — while a member of the Padres.

In the deal, the Rays will acquire right-handed pitching prospect Dylan Lesko, outfielder Homer Bush Jr. and catcher JD Gonzalez. Adam has been a stalwart of the Tampa Bay bullpen with a 2.30 ERA over 170 appearances since 2022, and he’s registered a 2.49 and 50/16 K/BB over his 47 appearances with the Rays in 2024. He should be a high-leverage option that might see a few save opportunities in the Padres’ bullpen.

Adam was his usual excellent self in this one, dropping nasty sweepers and changeups to make opposing hitters look foolish. His ERA shrunk to a microscopic 1.71, but he only got the save opportunity because Pete Fairbanks threw 28 pitches on Thursday.

Jason Adam was one out away from picking up his fourth save of the season, but Rays manager Kevin Cash went to the mound and pulled him out of the game after Adam walked Rob Refsnyder and allowed a single to Rafael Devers. Pete Fairbanks seemed to have the night off after pitching the eighth inning on Wednesday. Ramirez is now the eighth different Rays reliever to record a save this season.

Fairbanks was unavailable to close on Monday night at Fenway Park due to a small cut on his right index finger, which led to Jason Adam converting a save chance. However, it doesn’t sound like an issue heading into Tuesday’s showdown.

Adam was summoned by Rays manager Kevin Cash to work the final frame with Pete Fairbanks unavailable due to a cut on his right index finger. The 32-year-old righty issued a leadoff walk to Tyler O’Neill, which brought the potential tying run to the plate, but he proceeded to strike out Dominic Smith, Vaughn Grissom and Romy Gonzalez to extinguish any hope of a Boston comeback. He’s converted three of four save chances this season to go along with a pristine 1.47 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 16/7 K/BB ratio across 18 1/3 innings of work.

Fairbanks makes his return to Tampa Bay’s closer role following a three-week absence due to a nerve-related condition in his right hand. The 30-year-old stopper struggled in eight appearances to open the year, but looked sharp earlier this week in a pair of minor league rehab appearances for Triple-A Durham. He should take over the closing duties for the Rays with relief ace Jason Adam continuing to vulture the occasional save chance.

Maton got the call on Saturday to protect a narrow two-run advantage after Jason Adam tossed a scoreless eighth inning in a tie ballgame. He issued a one-out walk to Harrison Bader, but managed to retire Brett Baty and pinch-hitter DJ Stewart to preserve the victory. It’ll be Adam picking up the majority of the save chances for Tampa Bay with Pete Fairbanks sidelined, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see Maton continue to vulture the occasional opportunity.

The 32-year-old right-hander came on with a three-run lead to protect, but things got a bit tighter as he surrendered a one-out solo homer to Brett Baty. He also allowed a two-out double to Brandon Nimmo that brought the tying run to the plate, but was able to retire Starling Marte on strikes to end it. He has now converted two of his first three save chances while filling in for the injured Pete Fairbanks. His time in the ninth inning is seemingly coming to a close with Fairbanks expected to return on Tuesday.

It’s not yet clear how long the 30-year-old southpaw may be sidelined for. Manny Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move to take his place in the Rays’ bullpen. Poche’s absence could lead to additional save chances for Jason Adam and Garrett Cleavinger while Pete Fairbanks is also shelved.