Grant Balfour's rocky stint with the Tampa Bay Rays has reached an end.
The team designated the veteran reliever for assignment Saturday night, after he allowed a grand slam to Chris Young in the top of the seventh inning during the New York Yankees' 9-0 victory at Tropicana Field.
Consequently, the Rays promoted reliever Brandon Gomes from Triple-A Durham.
Balfour, 37, never realized what Tampa Bay's management envisioned for him when he signed a two-year, $12 million contract on Jan. 23, 2014. An All-Star with the Oakland Athletics in 2013, he was signed to be the Rays' closer last season. But he was demoted from that role in June as part of a campaign in which he posted a 4.91 ERA and three blown saves in 62 1/3 innings.
Balfour had allowed no runs and two hits in five appearances this season before he walked three batters and surrendered the grand slam Saturday. He's scheduled to make $7 million this year.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
