Right-handed pitcher Wilmer Font first pitched in the Dodger organization in 2017. Pitching at Oklahoma City, he led the Pacific Coast League with 178 strikeouts. Font’s contract was selected in September 2017 and he pitched in three games that September.
Font remained on the 40-man roster through spring training and he was on the 25-man Opening Day roster. Font would pitch in six games in April for the Dodgers. Then Font was traded to the Oakland Athletics for minor league pitcher Logan Salow.
Salow pitched for Great Lakes and Rancho Cucamonga in 2018. He was part of the Quakes California League championship team.
Font would be traded one more time. On May 25, 2018, the Rays traded minor league pitcher Peter Bayer for Font. Font pitched well for Tampa until he went on the 10-day disabled list on June 30th with a strained lat. Tampa would then transfer Font to the 60-day disabled list on July 4th and Font did not pitch again in 2018.
What went right
First, making the 25-man Opening Day roster was a career first for Font. Second, Font found himself with the Rays, in 27 innings pitched, he gave up five runs and struck out 20.
What went wrong
Font gave up 10 home runs in 17 combined innings when he pitched for the Dodgers and the Athletics in 2018.
2018 particulars
Age: 28
Stats (Total for three teams): 2-3, 44 innings pitched, 19 games, five games started, 5.93 ERA and 36 strikeouts
Game of the year
Font’s last two starts in 2018 will perhaps keep him in the Rays’ future plans.
The first start was against the New York Yankees on June 23rd. He pitched 5⅔ scoreless innings, he gave up three hits and one walk while striking out four. Font would pick up the win with a Game Score of 66.
Font followed that game by allowing just one run in five innings against the Houston Astros. He gave up one hit and two walks.
Roster status
The Rays reinstated Font from the 60-day disabled list on November 2, 2018. He is currently on their 40-man roster. Font is out of options but more importantly, he pitched well for the Rays so it would not be out of the question that he stays on their roster and will have an opportunity to pitch in Tampa next season.