ST. PETERSBURG (95.3 WDAE) -- For the second time this off-season, the Tampa Bay Rays have acquired relief pitcher Oliver Drake, this time picking him up from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations.
The Rays originally acquired Drake on November 1 off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, but designated him for assignment three weeks later and lost him to Toronto off waivers.
Drake, 31, went 1-1 with a 5.29 earned run average in 44 relief appearances with five teams in 2018: Milwaukee, Cleveland, the Los Angeles Angels, Toronto, and finally the Twins.
Drake was a 43rd round selection in the 2008 draft out of the United States Naval Academy, and is the first Midshipman to make it to the major leagues.
To make room on their 40-man roster for Drake, reliever Jaime Schultz has been designated for assignment.