RAYS RE-SIGN JOEL PERALTA TO TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

ST. PETERSBURG, FL—The Tampa Bay Rays have re-signed right-handed relief pitcher Joel Peralta to a two-year major league contract. The contract includes club options for 2015-17.

“We love Joel’s competitiveness and the impact he has on the younger pitchers in our bullpen,” said Rays Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. “He has been an integral part of our late-inning success and has proven that he can get big outs in the American League East.”

Peralta, 36, went 2-6 with a 3.63 ERA (67-IP, 27-ER) and a career-high 84 strikeouts in 2012. His 76 appearances ranked second in the American League in 2012 and his 147 games over the last two seasons (2011-12) lead the AL. Last season he held opponents to a .200 batting average (49-for-245) and a .254 opponents’ on-base percentage, fifth lowest among AL relievers. The setup man completed the eighth inning in 33 of Fernando Rodney’s club record 48 saves in 2012.

The Dominican Republic native has compiled a career 3.94 ERA over eight major league seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals and Rays. He has pitched two seasons with Tampa Bay (2011-12), posting a 3.27 ERA (134.2-IP, 49-ER) with 145 strikeouts and only 35 walks.