Former Tampa Bay Rays Pitcher Elects Free Agency Heading into Offseason

Former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Zack Burdi has selected free agency heading into the offseason. He pitched for the Rays in 2023 but ended the year with the Dodgers organization.

Former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Zack Burdi has elected free agency after ending the year with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. 

Per Eric Stephen of SB Nation on social media:

Add Zack Burdi to this group of pitchers electing free agency this week Burdi was outrighted by both the Rays and Dodgers this season. Claimed off waivers by LA on May 26, he spent only 6 days on the 40-man roster but didn't pitch in the majors with LA

Add Zack Burdi to this group of pitchers electing free agency this week

Burdi was outrighted by both the Rays and Dodgers this season. Claimed off waivers by LA on May 26, he spent only 6 days on the 40-man roster but didn't pitch in the majors with LAhttps://t.co/WjDCk0ybQI

— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) October 15, 2023

The 28-year-old Illinois native was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the 2016 draft. He attended college at the University of Louisville.

Burdi has made 18 total appearances in the big leagues since debuting in the 2020 COVID shortened season. He pitched for the White Sox in 2020 and 2021 before also making six appearances with the Orioles that year. He didn't pitch in the majors in 2022 but did make the three appearances with the Rays this year.

He's 0-1 in his career with an 8.44 ERA in those 18 appearances.

As for the Dodgers, who he didn't appear for, they'll need plenty of help on the pitching front next season as they deal with several injuries and issue.

While Walker Buehler should be back healthy next season, the team will have to deal with the recoveries of Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May, who both will be sidelined into next year. Julio Urias was placed on the restricted list as well and we aren't sure yet what his future looks like.

The Dodgers were beaten by the Diamondbacks in the NLDS.

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