The Rays have signed 28-year old righty reliever Lance Pendleton to a minor league deal. He pitched in 15 games (0 starts) for the Astros & Yankees last year in his first taste of the majors and he was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. Pendleton also pitched in 18 games (10 starts) in AAA-ball last year for the Yankees and he was 3-4 with 1 save, a 3.10 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. It never hurts to stash a guy like Pendleton in AAA-ball, so I like this move for the Rays.

The Tampa Bay Rays have called up 27-year old righty reliever Brandon Gomes. Gomes pitched in 5 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball so far this year and he was 0-0 with 1 save, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. He only gave up 2 hits while whiffing 8 batters in his first six innings in the minors this year. Gomes pitched in 40 games (0 starts) for the Rays in his first taste of the majors last year and he was 2-1 with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Gomes had a rough spring, but he looks good to go now and the Rays need help in the pen.

The Rays have acquired 28-year old righty starting pitcher Matt Buschmann from the Nationals for cash considerations. Buschmann has not pitched yet in the minors this year. He pitched in 32 games (22 starts) in AA+AAA-ball for the Padres last year and he was 12-6 with a 6.16 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. Buschmann has now pitched in 179 games (116 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 45-39 with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. His minor league career with the Rays will start at AA Montgomery.

The Tampa Bay Rays have claimed 26-year old lefty reliever John Gaub off waivers from the Cubs. He pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Gaub also pitched in 50 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 4-4 with 7 saves, a 3.42 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. Gaub only gave up 42 hits in 55 1/3 innings in the minors last year while whiffing 75 batters, but, he also walked 40 batters. If the Rays can coax Gaub into throwing more strikes, they might have a steal with this move.

The Rays have acquired 25-year old lefty swinging outfielder Kyle Hudson from the Rangers for future cash considerations. Hudson played in 14 games for the Orioles last year and he was 4 for 28 (.143 avg, .286 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 0 homers, 2 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He also played in 119 games in A+AA+AAA-ball last year in which he was 125 of 423 (.296 avg, .711 OPS) with 60 runs scored, 0 homers, 23 RBIs and 41 stolen bases. The Rays needed more depth in the outfield in the organization, so I like this pickup for them. Hudson will likely get some P.T. at some point in 2012 for the Rays.