Coats signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Thursday which includes an invitation to spring training, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coats is back with the Rays after spending all of the 2018 campaign with the team's Triple-A affiliate. Across 108 games with Triple-A Durham last season, the soon-to-be 29-year-old hit .247/.293/.448 with 15 homers. Coats hasn't appeared in the majors since a brief stint with the White Sox back in 2016, when he hit .200/298/.340 in 28 games (58 plate appearances).

The Rays reassigned Coats to their minor-league camp Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

With Mallex Smith, Kevin Kiermaier, Carlos Gomez and Denard Span assured spots on the Rays' Opening Day roster and utility man Daniel Robertson capable of playing the corner outfield if needed, Tampa Bay didn't have room for Coats. The 28-year-old is expected to open the season at Triple-A Durham after missing the entire 2017 campaign with a torn UCL in his right elbow.

Coats is in the running for a spot on the Rays' active roster as a reserve outfielder, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

At this point, it seems that Coats is competing primarily with Brandon Snyder for the roster spot, but Micah Johnson is also in the running to a lesser extent. Coats hasn't hit that well this spring (4-for-24, nine strikeouts), but the fact that he bats right-handed is a big selling point given the breadth of lefty options in Tampa Bay's outfield. The 28-year-old will need to show some improvement over the final couple weeks of camp if he wants to claim the spot for his own.

Coats has received an invitation to spring training, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After signing a minor-league deal with the Rays in March of 2017, Coats missed all of last season due to an undisclosed injury. He spent the 2016 season with the White Sox, hitting .330/.394/.519 in 78 games for Triple-A Charlotte but struggling to a .200/.298/.340 line in 28 games for the big club. He'll likely be viewed as organizational depth for the Rays next season.

Coats was released by the Rays on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The Rays claimed Coats off waivers earlier in the month, but they've since brought in Mallex Smith and Colby Rasmus, making Coats even more expendable. The 26-year-old, who split last season between the White Sox and Triple-A Charlotte, will look to catch on with another organization and figures to land back at the Triple-A level.

Coats was claimed off waivers by the Rays on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Entering his age-27 season, the only appealing thing about Coats is his ability to hit southpaws. Unfortunately, the Rays' outfield situation is even more crowded than it was at the start of the day, as they also traded for Mallex Smith on Wednesday. Coats may need an injury ahead of him to make the 25-man roster out of spring training.

Coats was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Coats didn't show much in a brief major league stint in 2016, hitting .200/.298/.340 in 58 plate appearances, so the White Sox chose the younger Willy Garcia for a 40-man roster spot. If he ends up staying in the White Sox system, he'll likely stay with Triple-A Charlotte where he hit a robust .330/.394/.519 last season.

Coats was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old rode the shuttle throughout the season but he will settle in with the big club for good as part of its expanded September roster. Coats turned in a healthy .330/.394/.519 line with Charlotte but it's been a different story at the major league level so far (.643 OPS) and he will merely fill a bench role down the stretch.

Coats was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Coats was sent down to make room for Avisail Garcia, who's returning from the DL after a knee injury. This was Coats' second stint in the majors of 2016 and it was much more successful than the first, posting a .333/.375/.600 line in 15 at-bats compared to a .091/.286/.136 line in 22 at-bats earlier in the year. As a result, he has a chance to return after September roster expansion.

Coats is expected to start Thursday against the Royals, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coats has put on a show at Triple-A Charlotte this season where he's hitting .329/.390/.512 over 65 games. The rookie has struggled in limited MLB action, having played in just 12 games and gone just 2-for-22 with nine strikeouts. If he does get the nod to start for the injured Avisail Garcia, he'll likely join an outfield containing Adam Eaton and Melky Cabrera.