Alex Faedo DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Faedo (shoulder) is expected to start the season on the injured list due to a right-shoulder injury, according to MLB.com's Adam Berry. Manager Kevin Cash said Faedo had an MRI exam that didn't show anything "too alarming," but he will be shut down from throwing for a short period. Before his injury, the 29-year-old looked to be a favorite for the final spot in the bullpen because of his ability to pitch multiple innings, his track record in the big leagues, and the fact he has no minor-league options remaining. The former first-round pick out of Florida struggled with injuries with the Detroit Tigers before posting a 3.61 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings over 39 appearances as a reliever last year. If he can move past a shoulder injury that he also dealt with late last year, Faedo could be a valuable multi-inning reliever for the Rays. However, there's very little fantasy appeal.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Faedo (shoulder) was seen throwing a live batting practice session at spring training on Wednesday. Faedo is embarking on his first year with the Rays after he was drafted 18th overall in 2017 by the Detroit Tigers out of the University of Florida. The 29-year-old didn't pan out with the Tigers in three MLB seasons after debuting in 2022 and he didn't pitch past August in 2024 due to a right-shoulder strain. He's apparently healthy now, though, as he tries to win an Opening Day roster spot in Tampa's bullpen. The fact that Faedo is out of minor-league options will give him a better chance to make the team out of spring training. He has a 5.00 ERA in 30 MLB starts but a 3.44 ERA as a reliever, so the Rays are hoping he can continue excelling out of the bullpen. Faedo won't be much of a fantasy asset, though, if he's in a middle-relief role.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that the Tampa Bay Rays acquired right-hander Alex Faedo from the Detroit Tigers on Monday in exchange for minor-league catcher Enderson Delgado and cash considerations, according to sources. The Tigers designated Faedo for assignment after signing right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle last week. Faedo was decent for the Tigers in his third big-league season in 2024, sporting a career-low 3.61 ERA (4.91 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 28 walks in 57 1/3 innings pitched over only 37 appearances (six starts). Because the 29-year-old is out of minor-league options, if he's not on Tampa's major-league roster this year, he'll be subject to the waiver process again. The former 18th overall pick in 2017 out of the University of Florida hasn't lived up to his draft stock and has struggled as a starter, but he has a 3.44 ERA as a reliever and could be in line for some high-leverage bullpen work for the Rays.