Rays Add Outfielder Austin Slater on Minor League Deal

The Tampa Bay Rays are bolstering their outfield depth.

It was first reported by Robert Murray of FanSided on Tuesday that the Rays have signed outfielder Austin Slater to a minor league deal. Slater was recently let go by the New York Mets early this month.

Source: Free-agent outfielder Austin Slater and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a minor-league contract.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) May 26, 2026

This move by Tampa Bay comes after they signed future Hall of Famer Craig Kimbrel to a one-year major-league deal, following his release by the Mets.

Slater initially began this season with the Detroit Tigers after inking a minor league deal with the club on February 10. The veteran outfielder was released by the Tigers on March 21, but then signed a one-year major league deal with the Miami Marlins three days later.

In 12 appearances with Miami, Slater went 4-for-23 (.174) with one RBI and a stolen base. The Marlins designated Slater for assignment on April 23, and he elected free agency after clearing waivers on April 26.

The aforementioned Mets added the 33-year-old to a one-year deal the next day due to their outfield being decimated by injuries and the team's need for a platoon option against left-handed pitchers. Slater's tenure in New York, however, did not last too long. In just nine games, he went 5-for-20 (.250) at the dish and was DFA'd by New York on May 19. He then elected free agency five days after clearing waivers for the second time this season.

Slater will now join his fourth organization already this season in the Rays, who enter Tuesday with the second-best record in all of Major League Baseball at 36-18.

Across 10 big league seasons with seven different teams, Slater is batting .247/.335/.380 with 45 home runs, 186 RBI and a .715 OPS.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 7:54 PM.