Niko Goodrum, a seasoned utility player known for his tenure with the Detroit Tigers, has returned to Major League Baseball. His return comes as he was recalled by the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, following infielder Brandon Lowe’s placement on the injured list.
Goodrum initially inked a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins in January. Upon the conclusion of spring training, he activated an “upward mobility” clause in his contract, granting him the option to join a team that would place him on their 40-man roster. Seizing this opportunity, the Tampa Bay Rays secured his services and subsequently optioned him to Triple-A Durham, where Goodrum has showcased strong performance during the early stages of the season.
Having turned 32 in February, Goodrum boasts a significant MLB experience, having played regularly for the Tigers from 2018 to 2021 in various roles. Over this period, he amassed a batting average of .232 with a .707 OPS (90 OPS+) across 376 games. However, following the conclusion of the 2021 season, the Tigers opted not to tender him a contract, leading Goodrum to enter free agency.
After signing a one-year, $2.1 million deal with the Astros and starting the season on the Opening Day roster, Goodrum endured a challenging start to the campaign, registering a batting average of .116 (5-for-43) with 23 strikeouts and only two walks. Subsequently, he was optioned to Triple-A and later designated for assignment by the Astros.
During the previous season, Goodrum was part of the Boston Red Sox organization, where he recorded an .888 OPS for Triple-A Worcester before opting out of his contract to pursue opportunities in Korea.
In joining the Rays, Goodrum reunites with two former Tigers teammates, infielder Isaac Paredes and left-handed pitcher Tyler Alexander.
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