:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3638815/20120811_ajw_aj5_133.0.jpg)
Via a Rays press release, the team has resigned reliever Joel Peralta for two years.
The Tampa Bay Rays have re-signed right-handed relief pitcher Joel Peralta to a two-year major league contract. The contract includes club options for 2015-17.
The move was originally reported on November 6th by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
The reliever pitched in 76 games for Tampa Bay last season, throwing 67 innings. He struck out 84 batters and walked 17, posting an ERA of 3.63. The Rays acquired him in the 2010 offseason as a free agent from Washington.
The reliever was involved in a minor scandal in June, when Nationals manager Davey Johnson asked the umpires to check his glove. The glove was confiscated, and Peralta was later suspended for 8 games.
Rays GM Andrew Friedman had nice things to say about Peralta in the press release:
“We love Joel’s competitiveness and the impact he has on the younger pitchers in our bullpen,” said Rays Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. “He has been an integral part of our late-inning success and has proven that he can get big outs in the American League East.”