The Guardians claimed Bethancourt off waivers from the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bethancourt spent a large portion of the 2023 season as the Rays' No. 1 catcher and put up decent counting statistics over his 332 plate appearances (11 home runs, 49 runs, 33 RBI and one stolen base), but an ugly .225/.254/.381 slash line (74 wRC+) made his less useful at the plate from a real-life standpoint. Still, the 32-year-old graded out as a capable defender behind the dish and wasn't a complete zero with the bat, so he should at least make for a dependable backup option and short-side platoon mate in Cleveland for No. 1 backstop Bo Naylor.

The Rays placed Bethancourt on outright waivers Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bethancourt will join teammates on the waiver wire in an effort from the Rays to clear space on the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old backstop slashed .225/.254/.381 across 332 plate appearances in 2023 and could be picked up by another team in search of a backup catcher.

Bethancourt is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Bethancourt also began Game 1 on the bench, although he did enter at catcher late after Rene Pinto was lifted for a pinch hitter. The Rays began leaning toward Pinto over Bethancourt behind the plate in September and that has carried over into the playoffs.

Bethancourt sits for the second straight game Saturday against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bethancourt has hit just .240/.264/.380 over the last month, striking out 21 times to go with just two walks. Rene Pinto will get another start behind the plate.

Bethancourt isn't in the Rays' lineup Friday against Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

Bethancourt will take a seat Friday after going 0-for-7 with five strikeouts across his last three games. Rene Pinto will start behind the dish and bat ninth while Bethancourt regroups.

Bethancourt is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bethancourt and Rene Pinto have alternated starts over the past 15 games, but Pinto will make his second straight start Wednesday against Boston. Bethancourt has a .226/.258/.375 slash line with nine home runs in 94 games this season and should continue to split time with Pinto down the stretch.

Bethancourt is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Bethancourt will retreat to the bench after he caught all nine innings of Monday's 7-3 loss in the series opener while striking out in each of his three plate appearances. Rene Pinto will get a turn behind the plate while he and Bethancourt continue to work in a near-even timeshare at catcher.

Bethancourt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rene Pinto will get the nod behind the dish in the series finale in Cleveland. Bethnacourt and Pinto have alternated starts at catcher over the past 12 games and look to be stuck in a near-even timeshare for now.

Bethancourt is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Bethancourt and Rene Pinto have alternated starts behind the plate over the past eight games, and that trend will continue Tuesday after Bethancourt went 2-for-4 with a run during Sunday's series finale against the Yankees.

Bethancourt will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Yankees, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bethancourt's share of the playing time behind the plate hasn't meaningfully changed with the shift from Francisco Mejia to Rene Pinto as the team's second catcher. Bethancourt and Pinto have each started eight of the team's last 16 games.