Rays DFA Rookie After 3 Strong Innings In Debut

He called his major league debut this weekend "incredible, intense, unbelievable" after tossing three innings allowing no earned runs for the Tampa Bay Rays. Unfortunately, The Show can be a tough place sometimes, as rookie Easton McGee found out today.

RH Easton McGee, who made impressive debut for #Rays, was DFA’d, and Mastrobuoni sent down

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) October 3, 2022

Despite his strong showing on Sunday, the Rays designated McGee for assignment on Monday, likely giving more weight to his 107 poor innings at Triple-A this season than his weekend appearance. He posted a 5.43 ERA with Durham, while striking out just 82 batters in 107 innings. 

In his three innings in relief of Corey Kluber, McGee did not walk a batter, allowed four hits, struck out one, and gave up just one unearned run. 

“That was pretty incredible. It was everything I dreamed it would be,” McGee said afterwards. “It was nerve-racking. It was intense. It was unbelievable.”

The 24-year-old recalled getting the news of his call-up from his Triple-A manager last week. “He said, ‘Easton, I’ve been waiting all year to give you this call,’” McGee recalled. “When I heard that, my stomach kind of dropped and I was like, ‘Oh man.’ He said it, I just, I was speechless. I didn’t even know what to say. You play it over in your head a million times. But when it actually happens, it’s surreal.”

Sadly, McGee's surreal moment lasted just one game. Hopefully, he can take that and build on it, and find his way back to the majors soon. 

Photo: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports