Rays Call Up Joe Rock, DFA Forrest Whitley

The Tampa Bay Rays called up left-handed pitcher Joe Rock from Triple-A Durham to bolster their bullpen, making his Major League Baseball debut on June 28 against the Baltimore Orioles. Rock entered the game in the eighth inning, striking out four batters over two innings but allowing two runs on a home run in the ninth. This move came as the Rays designated right-handed pitcher Forrest Whitley for assignment after a challenging stint marked by a 15.43 ERA in 4 2/3 innings pitched for Tampa Bay, following his mid-season acquisition from the Houston Astros. Whitley, who had a history of injuries and a suspension, struggled to retire batters and was part of a bullpen that the Rays had heavily taxed. Rock, previously a 2021 draft pick of the Colorado Rockies, had spent the entire 2025 season in Triple-A with a 3-5 record and a 4.81 ERA over 73 innings, and is viewed as a fresh arm to support the Rays’ pitching staff. The Rays' roster changes reflect their efforts to strengthen their bullpen amid recent struggles and high-scoring losses.