The Rays reinstated Sulser (back) from the injured list Saturday.
Sulser didn't play in any rehab games while recovering from a lower-back strain, but he has been facing live hitters over the past few days and will now rejoin the Rays' bullpen following a minimum-length IL stay. The 36-year-old righty will presumably reclaim a setup role after posting a 3.68 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through 22 innings on the year. Hunter Bigge was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Closing in on return
Rotowire
Manager Kevin Cash says Sulser (back) should return to the Rays "pretty soon," MLB.com reports .
Sulser has been facing hitters in live batting practice and is progressing well from a lower-back strain. It sounds like the 36-year-old right-hander will be able to dodge a minor-league rehab assignment before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Through 22 innings, Sulser has a 3.68 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Sent to IL with back strain
Rotowire
The Rays placed Sulser on the 15-day injured list Monday with a lower-back strain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
It's unclear when Sulser's back began bothering him, but he hadn't pitched since last Wednesday. His spot on the active roster and in the bullpen will be taken over by Chase Solesky, who was recalled from Triple-A Durham.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Collects first save of year
Rotowire
Sulser gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Guardians. He struck out two.
Bryan Baker had pitched the prior two days and three of the last four, so Tampa Bay's closer got a breather while Sulser handled the ninth in his place. The 36-year-old righty delivered his sixth straight scoreless appearance, and the save was his first since 2022 when he was a member of the Marlins. Sulser has moved into a high-leverage role in an injury-shortened Rays bullpen, picking up holds in his last two appearances coming into Tuesday, but his 3.24 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB through 16.2 innings on the season don't inspire a lot of confidence.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: No-decision as opener
Rotowire
Sulser didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the White Sox, pitching two scoreless innings as the opener, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out one.
Sulser allowed four baserunners in his two innings, but he didn't allow a single run -- that's already a step in the right direction considering his recent performances. He had given up at least a run in five of his six previous outings this season, and as a bullpen arm that's nowhere near pitching in high-leverage situations, he doesn't carry much fantasy upside -- especially since he owns a 4.91 ERA with a 2.00 WHIP across 11.0 innings over his first seven appearances in 2026.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Tapped for opening duties
Rotowire
Sulser will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Sulser has given up eight runs (six earned) over nine innings to begin the season, but the Rays will look to him to get through the first inning of Wednesday's contest. Jesse Scholtens is expected to work in bulk relief once Sulser is taken out of the game.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Avoids arbitration with Rays
Rotowire
The Rays and Sulser avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.05 million contract, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Sulser receives a small raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Slated to turn 36 in March, Sulser made 18 appearances out of the Rays' bullpen in 2025, collecting a 1.99 ERA and 22:7 K:BB over 22.2 innings. He'll likely fill a middle relief role in 2026.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Summoned from Durham
Rotowire
The Rays recalled Sulser from Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Tampa Bay placed Mason Englert (shoulder) on the injured list Sunday, opening up a spot on the active roster for Sulser. Sulser has been at Triple-A since June 19. The 35-year-old right-hander has recorded a 1.30 ERA in 34.2 innings with Durham this season.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Optioned to Durham
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Sulser to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Sulser made three appearances after being recalled from Triple-A last week, allowing one earned run while striking out four batters over 2.1 frames. He owns a 3.21 ERA through 14 MLB innings this season but will head back to the minors in favor of Connor Seabold, who will give the team another fresh arm to work with.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Sulser to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The right-hander hadn't given up a run in his past six appearances but will still be sent down in favor of Ian Seymour, who can provide a bit more length out of the bullpen. Sulser's 3.09 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through 10 big-league outings this season should be enough for him to get another look with Tampa Bay later this season.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Recalled from minors
Rotowire
The Rays recalled Sulser from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Sulser takes the roster spot of Kevin Kelly, who was placed on the 15-day IL with a glute strain. Sulser appeared in 10 games for the Mets and Rays last season, making a pair of starts and registering a 2.76 ERA and 15:9 K:BB across 16.1 innings. He'll provide a long-relief option in the Tampa Bay bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Beginning season at Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Sulser to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
Sulser was one of eight players dismissed from big-league camp in the Rays' latest round of roster cuts. The 34-year-old reliever split time between the Triple-A level and the majors in 2024 between his stops in the Mets and Rays organizations. He made 10 big-league appearances and turned in a 2.76 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 16.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Avoids arbitration
Rotowire
The Rays and Sulser avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Sulser had been eligible for arbitration for a second time. The 34-year-old reliever holds a career 3.74 ERA and 158:71 K:BB over 149 innings covering parts of six big-league seasons.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Sulser to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Sulser hasn't allowed a run in 11.2 innings with the Rays, but he has minor-league options remaining and that works against him. Colin Poche (shoulder) has returned from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Sulser to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Sulser struck out two in a scoreless inning during his lone appearance after the Rays recalled him this past weekend. The transaction clears a spot for Ryan Pepiot (knee), who will return from the 15-day injured list to start Friday against the Diamondbacks.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Traded to Tampa Bay
Rotowire
The Mets traded Sulser to the Rays on Friday for cash, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Sulser was designated for assignment by the Mets on Monday, and the 34-year-old right-hander will now head to Tampa Bay. Across four major-league outings this season, Sulser has given up five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven in 4.2 innings. He had far more success across his 24 appearances with Triple-A Syracuse this season, posting a 1.48 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 30.1 frames. He'll stay at that level, with the Rays optioning Sulser to Triple-A Durham following the trade.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Cole Sulser: Sent back to minors
Rotowire
The Mets optioned Sulser to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Yohan Ramirez, who was claimed off waivers from the Orioles earlier this week. Sulser holds a 9.64 ERA and 7:3 K:BB across 4.2 relief innings during his time with the Mets this season.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Cole Sulser: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Mets optioned Sulser to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.
New York selected Sulser's contract Monday, and he allowed four runs with a 4:3 K:BB over 3.2 frames in three appearances. Tyler Jay was also sent down Sunday, with Jose Butto and Grant Hartwig being called up from Syracuse as corresponding moves.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Cole Sulser: Gets minors deal from Mets
Rotowire
Sulser signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
The deal includes an invitation to the major-league side of spring training. Sulser held a 6.75 ERA over four appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2023 but spent most of the season in the minors. He has collected a 3.87 ERA and 143:62 K:BB over 132.2 career big-league innings.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Cole Sulser: Claimed by Tampa Bay
Rotowire
The Rays claimed Sulser off waivers from the Diamondbacks on Saturday.
After an extended absence due to a shoulder strain, Sulser returned to make a lone appearance out of the Arizona bullpen before being designated for assignment. The Tampa Bay front office has deemed Sulser of a 40-man roster spot despite his struggles in recent seasons. The right-hander pitched to a 2.70 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and eight saves with Baltimore in 2021.
