Tampa Bay Devil Rays Exercise Option on Al Reyes

Rays decline option on Greg Norton

11/14/2007, ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have exercised the option on the contract of veteran right-handed pitcher Al Reyes for the 2008 season and declined the option on the contract of outfielder Greg Norton. The club also reinstated outfielder Rocco Baldelli, catcher Shawn Riggans and shortstop Ben Zobrist from the 60-day disabled list.

Al Reyes, 37, saved 26 games for the Rays last season, the fifth-highest total in club history. His 86.7 save percentage (26-fo-30) was third best in club history behind Roberto Hernandez's 91.5 (43-of-47) in 1999 and Danys Baez's 90.9 (30-of-33) in 2004. He began the season with a club-record 16 consecutive saves, including a franchise-most nine in April. He became the third-oldest pitcher to post his first 20-save campaign behind Hoyt Wilhelm, who saved 21 games for the Chicago White Sox in 1963 at age 41 and Ellis Kinder, who converted 27 saves in 1953 for the Boston Red Sox at 39. Reyes held opponents to a .215 batting average, best among Rays relievers and seventh best all-time among Rays relief pitchers.

Reyes was a non-roster invite to spring training after missing nearly all of the 2006 season rehabbing from 2005 "Tommy John" surgery, the second of his career.

Norton, 35, batted .243 for the Rays with four home runs and 23 RBI over 75 games after missing the first six weeks of the season with right knee surgery.

Source: MLB

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