Slap Hits: The Tampa Bay Rays set roster, and get approval for lights

The Tampa Bay Rays have officially set their roster ahead of Opening Day!

In the very first edition of slap hits, we discussed the Tampa Bay Rays trying out a blue tinted light at the Trop during gameplay. If you forgot what it looks like, here again, is the picture from Marc Topkin.

Obviously, to make a change to your ballpark especially this drastic, you need approval from Major League Baseball. The Tampa Bay Rays got the nod on Tuesday morning. However, you will not see the blue tinted lights on Tuesday at the Trop against the Tigers as the Tampa Bay Rays finish out exhibition play, and you will not see it on Opening Day against the Houston Astros on Thursday.

While Major League Baseball approves, we still await the approval from the players. This obviously is a huge adjustment for players, and they will continue to practice with the blue lights on to get used to it as they have all week.

Another note on Tuesday, the Tamp Bay Rays optioned Emilio Pagan. The Tampa Bay Rays traded for Pagan this offseason in a three team deal headlined by the Oakland Athletics nabbing Jurrickson Profar from the Texas Rangers.

With Pagan being optioned, that leaves the final roster spot and bullpen spot for Adam Kolarek. Kevin Cash said Kolarek just fits the current bullpen construction better in the early going this season but cautioned fans not to give up on Pagan by any means, stressing the relief pitcher will be in Tampa Bay and play a huge role at some point this season.

Tampa Bay Rays 25-man Opening Day Roster:

Pitchers: Blake Snell, Charlie Morton, Tyler Glasnow, Ryne Stanek, Jalen Beeks, Yonny Chirinos, Wilmer Font, Ryan Yarbough, Diego Castillo, Chaz Roe, Jose Alvarado, Adam Kolarek (12 total)

Catchers: Mike Zunino and Micheal Perez (2 total)

infielders: Willy Adames, Joey Wendel, Daniel Robertson, Brandon Lowe, Ji-man Choi, Yandy Diaz. (6 total)

Outfielders: Tommy Pham, Kevin Kiermaier, Austin Medows, Avi Garcia, Guillermo Heredia. (5 total)

Injured List (IL): Matt Duffy, Jose De Leon, Anthony Banda. (3 total)

The Tampa Bay Rays season is almost underway! Check out our site roundtable previewing the MLB season with Rays colored glasses!