Tampa Bay Rays Designate Forrest Whitely, Call up Joe Rock from Triple-A originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Tampa Bay Rays announced Saturday morning that they have designated right-hander Forrest Whitely for assignment. In the corresponding move, Tampa Bay has activated left-hander Joe Rock from Triple-A Durham.

It was just two weeks ago that the Rays acquired the right-hander in a trade with the Houston Astros, after Houston subsequently designated the 27-year-old. Whitely was originally drafted by the Astros in the 2016 draft with the 17th pick, but it has been a rocky climb for his career. Whitely suffered a 50-game suspension in 2018 for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, and injuries would sideline him as well.  

Whitely did not step on an MLB mound until 2024, appearing in 7 1/2 innings with Houston, in which he posted a 12.27 ERA in that time. This was Houston’s red button to part ways with Whitely. 

A new scenery has not helped Whitely’s fortune as in five appearances for Tampa Bay, he has posted a 15.43 ERA in 4 2/3 innings pitched. Whitely was not able to retire the final six batters that he faced, which included a forgetful start when he was tagged for four runs in an inning of work in Tampa’s loss to Baltimore yesterday. 

The Rays see Rock as a fresh arm after Tampa Bay has run the bullpen’s gas tank to empty. In 15 games appeared in this season for Durham, Rock has recorded a 3-5 record, while posting a 4.81 ERA in 73 innings pitched this year. 

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.