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Rays Sign 6 Players To Minor League Contracts

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TBO.com

Published: January 6, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to terms with catcher Michel Hernandez, outfielder Jon Weber, left-handed pitcher Randy Choate, right-handed pitcher Julio DePaula, infielder Ray Olmedo and outfielder Ray Sadler to minor league contracts. Each player received an invitation to major league spring training.

Hernandez, 30, was a member of the Rays' postseason roster through all three rounds in 2008. The Rays acquired the 11-year minor league veteran from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 31, and he was assigned to Durham's (AAA) postseason roster. The Cuba native was called up to the majors Sept. 9, when catcher Shawn Riggans underwent knee surgery. He played in five games for the Rays, his first big league action since 2003 with the New York Yankees.

Weber, who turns 31 this month, was invited to major league camp by the Rays in 2008 and spent the entire season with Durham. The left-handed hitter batted .265 (103-for-389) for the Bulls with 13 homers, 51 RBIs, 24 doubles, and 11 stolen bases.

Choate, 33, pitched for Nashville (AAA) last season in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization. The southpaw has spent parts of eight seasons in the majors with the Yankees (2000-03) and Arizona Diamondbacks (2004-07) and pitched in two postseasons (2000-01) for New York. Over 196 career major league outings he is 5-7 with a 4.64 ERA. Choate is a Tampa resident and was selected by the Yankees out of Florida State in the fifth round of the 1997 June Draft.

DePaula, 26, joins the Rays after nine years in the Minnesota Twins' organization. He appeared in 51 games, including five starts, for Rochester (AAA) in 2008. Following the season, he pitched for Gigantes del Cibao of the Dominican Winter League. DePaula reached the majors in 2007 and made 16 appearances over two stints in the Twins' bullpen. In the minors, he owns a 48-35 career record with a 3.16 ERA.

Olmedo, 27, has played parts of five years in the majors with the Cincinnati Reds (2003-06) and Toronto Blue Jays (2007).

Sadler, 28, split the 2008 campaign between Round Rock (AAA) and Corpus Christi (AA) in the Houston Astros' system. The right-handed hitter combined to bat .272 (123-452) with 25 homers, 78 RBI and a .527 slugging pct.

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