Andrew Wantz DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to MLB.com, the Tampa Bay Rays have signed right-handed pitcher Andrew Wantz to a minor-league deal. The 29-year-old spent most of the season with Triple-A before suffering a season-ending elbow injury. Through 23 1/3 innings with Triple-A Salt Lake, Wants posted a 6.17 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. Through 118 1/3 career innings in the major leagues, Wantz has posted a 3.88 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He struck out 126 batters over this stretch while operating primarily out of the bullpen. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training as he could contend for a spot on the Opening Day roster. If he were to make the Rays roster, he would likely be deployed as a middle-relief option out of the bullpen.

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Andrew Wantz has moved into a starting role, at least for now, according to skipper Ron Washington. Washington said the reason for it is the team's need for depth in the starting rotation. Wantz hasn't been a starter since the 2019 season in the minor leagues, but he'll remain stretched out for now as the team gets ready for the start of the 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old former seventh-round pick by the Angels in 2018 out of North Carolina has made 90 big-league appearances (only four starts) in the last three years in Anaheim and has gone 5-1 with a 3.85 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 47 walks and 123 strikeouts in 117 frames. The best bet is that he'll be a swingman for the Angels this year and will start the year as a long reliever.