Two Tampa Bay Rays Pitchers Lose Arbitration Hearings For 2023 Season

Two Tampa Bay Rays pitchers lost their arbitration cases on Saturday.

Colin Poche, who filed for $1.3 million, will now make $1.175 million this season.

The Rays have won their arbitration case against Colin Poche, per source. Poche will earn $1.175 million, rather than the $1.3 million he filed for.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 18, 2023

Ryan Thompson, who filed for $1.2 million, will make $1 million.

The Rays have won their arbitration case against Ryan Thompson, per source. Thompson will earn $1 million, rather than the $1.2 million he filed for.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 18, 2023

Poche, a left-handed reliever, saved seven games for the Rays last season, posting a 3.99 ERA across 58 2/3 innings before ending the year on the injured list with an oblique strain. He made 65 relief appearances, finished 13 games and converted seven saves.

Meanwhile, Thompson, a 30-year-old right-handed reliever, recorded a 3.80 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts across 42.2 innings for the Rays last season. He made 47 relief appearances, finished seven games and converted three saves.

He also missed the final month of the year with right triceps inflammation and a stress reaction in his right elbow.

Both pitchers will be expected to find roles in the middle of the Rays' bullpen assuming they remain healthy this season. Photo Credit:  Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports