"Littell first arrived in Tampa in May 2023, after the Rays claimed the right-hander off waivers from the Red Sox. At the time, Littell had started only four of his 147 career games in parts of six Major League seasons, and had delivered inconsistent results as a reliever. However, in yet another win for the Rays' excellent pitching development staff, Littell went from a multi-inning reliever to a proper starter by season's end, and he then became a rotation staple over the next two seasons."
"Over 376 2/3 innings in a Tampa Bay uniform, Littell posted a 3.68 ERA, 19.39% strikeout rate, and a superb 3.92% walk rate. Littell has had trouble keeping the ball in the park and he doesn't miss many bats, but his elite control and durability made his transition to the rotation a very successful one. With the Rays falling out of contention at the deadline, Littell was dealt to the Reds as part of a three-team trade that also involved the Dodgers."
"Only ten pitchers in all of baseball topped Littell's 186 2/3 innings pitched in 2025. These ability to eat innings would be a major help to any rotation, but especially a Tampa Bay staff that has a few question marks behind Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepiot. was only so-so in his first full MLB season, Ian Seymour looked good as a rookie but has only 57 big league innings under his belt, and Shane McClanahan hasn't pitched in over two years due to injury."
The Rays are pursuing veteran rotation depth and are interested in reuniting with right-hander Zack Littell. Littell was claimed off waivers in May 2023 after starting only four of 147 career games and converted from a multi-inning reliever to a starter in Tampa Bay. Over 376 2/3 innings with the Rays he posted a 3.68 ERA, 19.39% strikeout rate and a 3.92% walk rate, showing elite control and durability despite home-run susceptibility. He was traded at the deadline and had a 4.39 ERA in 53 1/3 innings for Cincinnati. The Rays retain rotation questions behind Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepiot, with limited depth from Ian Seymour and an extended recovery for Shane McClanahan.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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