The Tampa Bay Rays wasted little time in realizing that Blake Snell has not shown enough improvement to remain in the rotation and have optioned him back to Triple-A Durham. Taking his roster spot will be left-handed reliever Jose Alvarado, though his stay could be short as the Rays have some options regarding their rotation.
In addition to sending Snell to Durham, the Rays also optioned infielder Taylor Featherston and recalled infielder Daniel Robertson who they activated off the 10-day DL with neck spasms.
Optioned to Durham in early May to work out problems with his command, control issues, pitch count and some other areas, Snell was lights out in his stint with Durham.