Andrew Wantz - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Elects free agency Wantz cleared waivers Tuesday and elected free agency, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Wantz was DFA'd by Tampa Bay after he gave up five earned runs in just 1.2 innings Saturday, and he'll now look to free agency for his next opportunity. The 30-year-old has also struggled in the minors this season, posting a 7.04 ERA and 1.78 WHIP through 23 innings at Triple-A Durham, so he will almost certainly have to settle for another minor-league deal.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment The Rays designated Wantz for assignment Sunday.

Impact The right-hander had his contract selected by Tampa Bay on Friday and will lose his place on the roster after giving up five runs across 1.2 innings Saturday against the Angels. Wantz seems unlikely to garner much interest on the waiver wire given that he posted a 7.04 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 23 innings for Triple-A Durham prior to the promotion.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Wade Meckler hits his first grand slam to help the Angels rout the Rays 14-3

Wade Meckler hit his first grand slam in the majors for the first of Los Angeles’ four homers in the Angels’ 14-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday

MAY 30 • Associated Press

Tampa Bay's Ben Williamson comes off injured list after missing 2 weeks with lower back strain

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Williamson has come off the injured list after he missed two weeks with a lower back strain

MAY 29 • Associated Press

Promoted to Tampa Bay The Rays selected Wantz's contract from Triple-A Durham on Friday.

Impact Wantz will join his first big-league squad since 2024 after having his contract selected by the Rays. With Triple-A Durham, Wantz posted a 7.04 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB in 23 innings. Tampa Bay optioned Carson Williams in order to make room for Wantz on the active roster.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Sent out of big-league camp The Rays reassigned Wantz to minor-league camp Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Wantz missed most of the 2025 season while completing his recovery from the elbow surgery he required in July 2024, but the right-hander was able to wrap up the campaign with seven scoreless innings at Triple-A Durham. Though he headed into spring training at full health, Wantz wasn't able to win a spot in the Rays' Opening Day bullpen after giving up seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks across 6.2 innings in the Grapefruit League. Wantz -- who owns a career 3.88 ERA over parts of four seasons with the Angels from 2021 through 2024 -- will need to pitch effectively at Durham to begin the 2026 campaign before potentially receiving a call-up to the Rays.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from lengthy IL stint Wantz (elbow) threw a scoreless inning and struck out one during Saturday's game against Triple-A Gwinnett.

Impact Wantz was officially activated from the 60-day injured list Sept. 1 after recovering from right elbow surgery. He's looked sharp in three appearances since his return to Triple-A, firing three scoreless frames while registering two strikeouts and one walk.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets chance with Rays Wantz (elbow) signed a minor-league deal with the Rays on Jan. 2.

Impact Wantz closed the season with an elbow injury and suffered a setback in early September. There haven't been updates on his health since, but the expectation is that he'll be ready to throw at the beginning of spring training. Wantz has thrown as many as 50.1 innings out of the bullpen in a season, he could be a fairly significant contributor to the Rays in 2025.

JANUARY 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from injured list Wantz (elbow) was activated from the injured list and outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Impact Wantz underwent a procedure on his elbow in mid-July, but it was not Tommy John surgery. Nevertheless, he was unable to return to the mound in 2024 after experiencing a setback. This transaction could be an indication that he'll be ready to take the mound at the start of spring training, which is roughly in line with his original timeline.

OCTOBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Status for 2025 now uncertain Wantz (elbow) recently had a setback , and it's not clear when (or if) he'll be able to pitch next season, per MLB.com.

Impact When it was initially clarified that Wantz's season-ending surgery wasn't Tommy John, the expectation was that he'd be ready to take the mound again for spring training in 2025. However, he's since suffered a setback, casting uncertainty about his outlook moving forward. Wantz pitched in only one big-league game this season, allowing one run on one hit while striking out three batters over 1.1 innings June 30 against the Tigers.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Surgery wasn't Tommy John Wantz's season-ending elbow surgery wasn't a Tommy John procedure, per MLB.com.

Impact When the Angels organization announced in July that Wantz had season-ending elbow surgery, not many details were provided, leading to many to assume that he underwent a Tommy John procedure. Though the exact nature of the surgery still hasn't been clarified, the fact that it wasn't a Tommy John repair significantly shortens the right-hander's timeframe for a return. According to the team's official MLB.com site, Wantz is currently rehabbing in Arizona and could be ready to pitch during spring training next year.

AUGUST 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets season-ending surgery The Angels announced Saturday that Wantz underwent season-ending surgery on his right elbow, MLB.com reports.

Impact The club didn't provide many details on Wantz's procedure, but the prevailing assumption is that he underwent Tommy John surgery. Assuming that's the case, Wantz likely won't be ready to pitch again until late in the 2025 season, if not the start of the 2026 season. He appeared in just one game out of the big-league bullpen this season and made seven appearances (six starts) at Triple-A Salt Lake, where he turned in a 6.17 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 23.1 innings. Set to turn 29 years old in October and likely at risk of missing the entire 2025 season, Wantz will likely be a non-tender candidate this offseason.

JULY 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers try to extend win streak, play the Angels

The Texas Rangers are looking to keep a five-game win streak alive when they play the Los Angeles Angels

JULY 10, 2024 • Associated Press

Rangers try to keep win streak alive against the Angels

The Texas Rangers will attempt to keep a four-game win streak alive when they play the Los Angeles Angels

JULY 9, 2024 • Associated Press

Angels place 3B Luis Rengifo on 10-day injured list with wrist inflammation

The Los Angeles Angels placed third baseman Luis Rengifo on the 10-day injured list because of inflammation in his right wrist

JULY 5, 2024 • Associated Press

Shifted to 60-day IL Wantz (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL on Friday.

Impact The move will free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Keston Hiura, who'll also join the active roster Friday. Wantz was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with elbow inflammation and there hasn't been any further updates on the injury. He won't be eligible for reinstatement until the end of August.

JULY 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Shifted to 60-day IL Wantz (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL on Friday.

Impact The move will free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Keston Hiura, who'll also join the active roster Friday. Wantz was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with elbow inflammation, and there hasn't been any further updates on the injury. He won't be eligible for reinstatement until the end of August.

JULY 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out with elbow inflammation The Angels placed Wantz on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to July 1, due to right elbow inflammation.

Impact The right-hander was called up by the Halos over the weekend and presumably suffered the injury when he allowed a run over 1.1 innings Sunday versus Detroit. Wantz is without an officially timeline for his return but won't be back until after the All-Star break.

JULY 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted to majors The Angels recalled Wantz from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Impact Wantz has spent the entire season in Triple-A, though he missed nearly two months due to a right forearm injury. Since returning from the IL, he's allowed nine runs (eight earned) in just six innings over three appearances. Despite his poor performance, he'll join the Halos as a replacement for Zach Plesac, who was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Six of Wantz's seven appearances in the minors this year have been as a starter, though he'll likely be used as a reliever while in Los Angeles.

JUNE 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted to majors The Angels recalled Wantz from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Impact Wantz has spent the entire season in Triple-A, though he missed nearly two months due to a right forearm injury. Since returning from the IL, he's allowed nine runs (eight earned) in just six innings over three appearances. Despite his poor performance, he'll join the Halos as a replacement for Zach Plesac, who was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Six of Wantz's seven appearances in the minors this season have been as a starter, but he'll likely be deployed as a multi-inning reliever for the Angels, at least initially.

JUNE 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Makes return at Triple-A Wantz (forearm) has given up nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and seven walks while striking out 10 over six innings in his three appearances (two starts) since being activated...

Impact Wantz missed just under two months of action due to a right forearm strain. Though he's ostensibly healthy again, Wantz has struggled mightily with his control since coming off the IL. He doesn't look to be a viable option to join the Angels during the upcoming week, even though the big club has two open spots in its rotation at the moment.

JUNE 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Opening Sunday Wantz will start Sunday's game against the Twins, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Wantz made his only start of the season Sept. 13 in Seattle and covered two scoreless frames, and he'll likely have a similar workload for Sunday's bullpen game. The right-hander has a 3.93 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB across 34.1 innings this season.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Serving as opener Wantz will serve as an opener for the Angels on Wednesday in Seattle, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact It's not clear who is in line for bulk relief work, but Jose Suarez would seem to be a candidate. Wantz holds a 4.13 ERA and 24:11 K:BB over 28.1 frames for the Halos this season.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Salt Lake The Angels recalled Wantz from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Impact Wantz returns to the majors as a middle-relief option with rosters expanding to 28. The right-hander has registered a 4.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB through 23.2 big-league innings this year.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Salt Lake Wantz was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Friday.

Impact Wantz gave up four runs over two innings in his only appearance with the Angels in June, and he'll head back to Salt Lake with the Angels adding Victor Mederos to the bullpen in a corresponding transaction. Wantz is likely to be up and down for Los Angeles throughout the summer.

JUNE 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

ANDREW WANTZ NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

Wade Meckler hits his first grand slam to help the Angels rout the Rays 14-3

Tampa Bay's Ben Williamson comes off injured list after missing 2 weeks with lower back strain

Rangers try to extend win streak, play the Angels

Rangers try to keep win streak alive against the Angels

Angels place 3B Luis Rengifo on 10-day injured list with wrist inflammation