Rays Designate Rob Delaney

The Tampa Bay Rays designated right-handed pitcher Rob Delaney this afternoon, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Pete Times. The move was made in order to make room on the 40-man roster for top prospect Matt Moore, a 22-year-old southpaw.

Delaney, 27, spent most of the season in Class Triple-A Durham as a reliever. He posted a 1.86 ERA, 7.6 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 in 67 2/3 innings of work in the International League. The reliever threw only five innings at the major-league level this season, but allowed six runs to score and walked seven batters.

Matt Moore will take Delaney's spot on the 40-man roster after being promoted to the majors. The 22-year-old Moore has spent the year dominating hitters between Class Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham. The majors may be no different for the prodigy in the long-term. In 155 1/3 innings this season, Moore is posting a fantastic 1.92 ERA, and an unbelievable 210:46 strikeout-to-walk ratio.