The Tampa Bay Rays acquired infielder Brett Wisely and left-handed pitcher Ken Waldichuk from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later (PTBNL). To clear two spots on their 40-man roster, the Rays designated right-handed reliever Osvaldo Bido and infielder Tsung-Che Cheng for assignment.
This is classic, low-key Rays roster maneuvering, but without roster room, picking up intriguing depth pieces on the waiver wire merry-go-round means shedding recent claims of their own.
Both acquisitions come with some interesting history and upside, fitting Tampa Bay’s track record of revitalizing overlooked or recovering talent.
Brett Wisely, 26, is a versatile left-handed hitting infielder (primarily second base, but capable across the infield and even some outfield) who was originally a 15th-round pick by the Rays in 2019 out of Gulf Coast State College. He was traded to the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Tristan Peters after the 2022 season. (Peters later landed with the Chicago White Sox via trade from the Rays last month — what a carrousel.)
Wisely debuted in the majors in 2023 and has accumulated three seasons of experience, mostly as a role player/utility type with the Giants. Atlanta claimed him off waivers from San Francisco in September 2025, but he saw limited action (just six games) before being DFA’d recently to make room for another claim.
Wisely’s big-league numbers have been modest (career 64 wRC+ in 466 PA), but his minor-league track record shows better contact and on-base skills. As a lefty bat with multi-position flexibility, he gives the Rays another option to compete for a bench/utility role beyond Richie Palacios and Chandler Simpson. Given this prioritization over Cheng, the deal would imply the Rays believe Wisely has the chops to cover short if needed.
Ken Waldichuk, 28, adds left-handed pitching depth behind Joe Rock and Ian Seymour. Waldichuk never wore a Braves uniform, as he was claimed off waivers from the Athletics just last week before they re-signed Tyler Kinley and ran out of room to stash a project.
Waldichuk was once an MLB Pipeline Top-100 prospect from the Yankees system, considered the key piece in the 2022 Frankie Montas trade. He picked up 22 starts in 35 appearances in 2023 as a funky, deception pitcher with a plus sweeper, debuting perhaps earlier than warranted. Tommy John surgery sidelined him for all of 2024 and parts of last season. His 2025 minor-league return showed some rust (64 K, 42 BB, 49 ER in 51.0 IP), but the stuff was returning, with above average horizontal movement on his fastball, and a sweeper he was seeking to rediscover.
Expect both newcomers to get looks in spring training for potential roles, but with Wisely out of options he’ll need to battle to earn his spot on the starting roster; Waldichuk has two options remaining.
