The Marlins acquired Sasaki and outfielder John Cruz on Wednesday in a three-team trade involving the Rays and Yankees, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. The Rays acquired catcher Ben Rortvedt in the deal, while utility man Jon Berti was sent to the Yankees.
Miami president of baseball operations Peter Bendix is familiar with Sasaki, as he was with the Rays when the team used a third-round pick on him in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft. Sasaki missed a chunk of the 2023 season with an unspecified injury but slashed .301/.375/.465 with seven home runs in 64 contests at High-A Bowling Green. He can play all three outfield spots.
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Rays' Shane Sasaki: Starting up rehab assignment
Rotowire
Sasaki (undisclosed) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday with the Rays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.
Sasaki has been on the 7-day injured list at High-A Bowling Green since mid-May with the unspecified injury, but he should be ready to return to South Atlantic League play once he gets a few rehab games under his belt in Florida. The 23-year-old outfielder put together a .290/.376/.400 slash line to go with two home runs and nine stolen bases in 117 plate appearances for Bowling Green prior to landing on the IL.
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Rays' Shane Sasaki: On IL at High-A
Rotowire
Sasaki is on the 7-day injured list with High-A Bowling Green due an undisclosed injury.
The speedy outfielder has not played since May 12. Sasaki, who turns 23 in July, hit .290 with a .376 OBP, two home runs and nine steals in 25 games before landing on the shelf. He doesn't project to hit for much game power at all, but his strong hit tool and plus-plus speed could allow for him to make it as a low-end everyday center fielder.
