The Rays have signed 25-year old righty reliever Bryan Augenstein to a minor league deal. He pitched in 5 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA and a 2.47 WHIP. He also pitched in 29 games (3 starts) in A+AAA-ball last year and he was 3-2 with a 4.72 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Augenstein has now pitched in 12 games (2 starts) in his first 2 years in the majors and he is 0-2 with a 8.34 ERA and a 1.90 WHIP. He will likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball.

The Rays have designated 29-year old righty swinging outfielder Justin Ruggiano for assignment. Ruggiano played in 46 games for the Rays last year and he was 26 for 105 (.248 avg, .673 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 4 homers, 13 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He played in 98 games in his three years with the Rays and he was 44 for 195 (.226 avg, .621 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 6 homers, 23 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. The Rays needed Ruggiano’s spot on the 40-man roster for Carlos Pena. They won’t miss Ruggiano too much going forward.

UPDATE: (1/30/2012) - Justin Ruggiano cleared waivers and decided to become a free agent rather than accepting an outright assignment to AAA from the Rays.