The Rays selected Hunter's contract Saturday and added him to the 40-man roster, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter, who went unused in Sunday's season opener against the Yankees, is expected to serve in middle relief for the Rays this season. The well-traveled Hunter turned in a 3.18 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 2016 while splitting time with the Indians and Orioles.

Hunter was informed Tuesday that he made the Rays' Opening Day roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's expected the Rays will make a formal transaction to add Hunter, who was attending camp as a non-roster invitee, to the 40-man roster later in the week. The hard-throwing right-hander has bounced around the league over the past few seasons, with his propensity for surrendering long balls proving to be his biggest hurdle. However, he was able to avoid back-breaking homers for the most part in 2016 during stints with the Indians and Orioles, and carried over that success to spring training, where he's allowed only one homer in eight innings while holding opposing batters to a .265 average. He'll likely serve in a middle-relief role for the Rays to begin the season.

Hunter, a non-roster invitee who's impressed this spring, is expected to be a key part of the relief corps according to manager Kevin Cash, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports. "We expect him to be pitching in some meaningful situations for us,'' Cash said.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old journeyman has allowed four runs over six spring appearances, but none have been earned. Hunter has also fanned eight over 6.2 innings and has apparently earned the trust of Cash, who alluded to the veteran making "a couple of adjustments" that have apparently helped him be more effective. Hunter was deployed in a variety of relief situations with the Orioles, Cubs and Indians over the last four seasons and amassed 16 saves and 41 holds in 219 appearances over that span.

Hunter has agreed to a minor league contract with the Rays with an invite to spring training, Steve Carney of 620 AM WDAE radio reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old has 16 career saves but will face plenty of hurdles to earn such consideration in this bullpen. Still, he'll offer valuable depth in the middle innings for the reliever corps if he breaks camp. Despite modest career marks of a 4.26 ERA and 5.65 K/9, his 2.01 BB/9 reflects his excellent control.

Hunter (back) tossed a scoreless frame in Friday's victory over the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter was slowed by a back injury for a couple days, but he returned to action Friday and pitched a scoreless ninth inning in an 8-0 Orioles victory. He figures to be available out of the bullpen moving forward.

Hunter has signed with the Orioles and is on the active roster for Sunday's matchup against the Yankees, Steve Melewski of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter has spent time with the Orioles organization in the past, so they knew exactly what they were getting when they signed the right-hander to provide bullpen depth. He was just starting to get healthy after a long rehab from a back injury when he was released by the Indians and picked up by Baltimore.

Hunter (back) was released by the Indians on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter had been rehabbing his way back from a back injury, but the club apparently decided he wouldn't be able to help them down the stretch run of the season and made the 30-year-old a free agent. It's unclear when Hunter will be able to return from his injury, but if healthy, he could find himself back in the majors wherever he lands when rosters expand in September.

Hunter (back) will begin his rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Columbus, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter is still a couple weeks from returning as he will need multiple outings before returning to the team, but this is a positive sign for the 30-year-old. He has been out since before the All-Star break, but recently threw off a mound last week for the first time since going down.

Hunter (back) threw off a mound Tuesday for the first time since breaking a vertebra in his back over the All-Star break, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter seems like a candidate to rejoin the Indians once rosters expand in September but his role figures to be limited upon rejoining the Indians bullpen.

Hunter was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a non-displaced fracture in his lower back, Zack Meisel of Cleveland.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The injury was non-baseball related, with manager Terry Francona relaying to reporters that Hunter hurt himself while slipping on the stairs over the All-Star break while he was carrying his child. Although a timetable for Hunter's recovery won't be announced until he undergoes further tests in Cleveland, it seems likely that he'll miss more than the 15-day minimum. Cody Anderson was recalled from Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move and will help fill out the Tribe's bullpen.