Former Tulane pitcher Chase Solesky will become the 31st player in Green Wave baseball history to reach the majors.
The Tulane Green Wave baseball team is having a bit of a rough time on the diamond this season, but they do have a storied history of success, particularly in sending former players to the major leagues. There were 30 major leaguers in Green Wave baseball history, but this week, that number became 31 as former pitcher Chase Solesky has been called up by the Tampa Bay Rays.
The news was announced after the Rays placed lefty Steven Matz on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, retroactive to May 4. In his place, righty Solesky was selected to join the active roster, which had a vacancy that didn’t require a corresponding move as they already designated Yoendrys Gómez for assignment. The severity of Matz’s injury isn’t yet known, but Soleksy has an opportunity with him shelved for at least a few weeks and will look to join a solid rotation that has seen their starters carry a 3.16 ERA through their 22-12 start. It’s good for the third-best ERA in the MLB right now.
As Tampa Bay shuffles things around a bit, the 28-year-old Solensky will get called up for the first time on a major league roster. He was selected in the 21st round of the 2019 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox and largely flew under the radar through the farm system. He spent time in the Nationals’ system last season and carried a 5.17 ERA through Triple-A.
He landed with the Rays back in January when he signed a minor league contract and began the year with Triple-A Durham Bulls. Solesky made six starts and had a 6.57 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched. For now, it seems like the move will be temporary for Solesky to take some innings if necessary. Solesky has been pitching primarily as a starter, and has struggled a bit in that role, but could take on some clean-up duty in the bullpen.
It’s an exciting chance for the former Tulane pitcher who was with the team from 2017 to 2019 in the starting rotation. Solesky posted a 6-4 record as a junior with a 5.13 ERA with 70 strikeouts to 30 walks in 73.2 innings pitched in the 2019 season. His career record with the Green Wave is 12-9 with a 5.31 ERA and 121 strikeouts to 72 walks in 157.2 innings for the Wave as he looks to get his shot and have some sticking power at the major level.