Rays Designate Michael Grove for Assignment

The Tampa Bay Rays have designated right-handed pitcher Michael Grove for assignment, a move announced on September 12, 2026. This decision opens a spot on the 40-man roster for fellow righty Brody Hopkins, whose contract was selected earlier that day.

Grove, who previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and won a World Series in 2024, struggled with a 5.48 ERA over 149 1/3 innings from 2022 to 2024. His 2024 playoff run was cut short due to a shoulder injury that required surgery in March 2025, sidelining him for over a year. After being outrighted by the Dodgers last November, he signed a split contract with the Rays in April.

During his time with Tampa Bay, Grove had a 5.14 ERA in seven innings across three appearances, while his performance in Triple-A Durham was significantly better, boasting a 3.55 ERA and a 29.1% strikeout rate in 33 innings this season. The Rays may be anticipating that Grove will accept an outright assignment to remain with the organization, rather than risk losing guaranteed money by opting for free agency.