ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — While two former Rays now on the Mariners’ roster returned to the less-than-popular setting that is Tropicana Field after being traded just two weeks ago, another former Mariner was removed from the Rays roster is now stuck in baseball limbo for the next week.
Brad Miller, the Mariners’ second-round draft pick in the 2011 draft and opening day shortstop in 2014 and 2015, was designated for assignment by Tampa to make room for top prospect Jake Bauers, who was called up from Class AAA Durham to be the Rays’ everyday first baseman.
Although he is capable of playing all four infield positions and even left field, Miller had become a defensive liability at almost all of them.