Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Jeff Niemann who spent the entire 2013 season recovering from right shoulder surgery to repair his rotator cuff and labrum opted for free agency after being out righted from the Rays’ 40 man roster.
Niemann was originally chosen fourth overall out of Rice University by the Rays in the 2004 draft.
In 544 1/3 career innings, the 31 year old Niemann has produced a 4.08 ERA with 6.8 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and a 43.9 percent ground-ball rate.
More Rays News
The Rays agreed to terms with hard-throwing right-hander Mark Lowe on a minor league deal.
Lowe, 30, has pitched parts of eight seasons in the majors as a middle reliever with the Mariners, Rangers and Angels, compiling a 4.17 ERA.
The team has expressed interest in Lowe in the past, before Lowe signed with the Dodgers last spring.
Also, the Rays re-signed minor-league free agent pitchers Victor Mateo, Eduar Quinonez, Albert Suarez.
