*Photo from MLB Trade Rumors*
Across 3 major league seasons, Chris Mazza has played for 3 different teams. Now, he's finally playing with an organization for a second year. The Tampa Bay Rays and the RHP Mazza have agreed to a minor league contract for the 2022 season, according to an announcement made by Mazza on his Twitter account.
Mazza was initially acquired by the Rays last offseason, with Mazza and LHP Jeffrey Springs heading to Tampa Bay in exchange for catcher Ronaldo Hernandez and infielder Nick Sogard. Mazza largely spent last year going back and forth between the Rays and their Triple A affiliate Durham Bulls, thanks in part to the minor league option he had. Mazza now is out of options, so if he is on the roster at any point, he will be exposed to waivers if the Rays wish to send him to Durham.
Last season, Mazza appeared in 14 games out of the Rays bullpen, finishing with a 0-0 record and a 4.61 ERA, with a 1.20 WHIP and one save, throwing 27 1/3 innings in relief. In his 3 seasons, with the Rays, Red Sox, and New York Mets, Mazza has a 2-3 record with a 4.89 ERA, throwing 73 2/3 innings in 26 relief appearances and 6 starts.
Mazza struggled with the long ball last season, marking the second straight year he has done so. He allowed one home run per 9 innings with the Rays last season, up .1 percent from his 2020 total with the Red Sox. If Mazza can contain the long ball, he'll be an intriguing depth option just waiting in Triple A for the Rays to take.
Mazza broke into pro ball when he was selected in the 27th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins, out of Menlo College in Atherton, California. He made his debut with the Mets in 2019, when he threw 4 innings of relief after Steven Matz came out of the game.
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