Kratz cleared waivers and was released by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kratz was designated for assignment last week and will make his way to free agency after going unclaimed on waivers. The 38-year-old is slashing .102/.170/.204 with 53 plate appearances between the Giants and Rays this season.

Kratz was designated for assignment by the Rays on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Kratz is no longer needed with Mike Zunino (quadriceps) back from the injured list. The 38-year-old has gotten into 21 games with the Giants and Rays this season, but his .102/.170/.204 slash line may not be enough for him to find work with a third team.

Kratz has been traded from the Giants to the Rays for a player to be named later, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kratz was designated for assignment by San Francisco on Monday, and he's now headed for Tampa Bay, who desperately needs veteran help behind the dish. Travis d'Arnaud was shipped to the Rays from the Dodgers less than one week ago, though Kratz figures to eat into his playing time until Mike Zunino (quadriceps) and Michael Perez (oblique) are healthy enough to return from the injured list. Kratz has struggled mightily at the dish this season, slashing .125/.222/.281 with a homer and three RBI over 15 games.

Kratz was designated for assignment by the Giants on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Kratz was poor in limited action for the Giants this season, going 4-for-32 at the plate in limited opportunities. It's possible this is the end of the road for the 38-year-old, as his .208/.256/.360 career slash line is unlikely to give him many suitors on the waiver wire.

Kratz (hamstring) was activated off the 10-day injured list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Kratz ends up spending the 10-day minimum on the IL after suffering the left hamstring strain at the start of May. Kratz and Stephen Vogt figure to split catching duties while Buster Posey remains on the 7-day injured list with a concussion.

Kratz was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The move was made retroactive to May 1, so Kratz could be eligible to return as soon as May 11. He now faces competition for the Giants' backup catcher job, however, as Stephen Vogt's contract was purchased Wednesday. Tyler Beede was called up in a corresponding move.

Kratz started and went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Kratz made his first start since Apr. 12, but he generally sees two starts per week with the occasional pinch-hit appearance. The 38-year-old's limited playing time and slow start (.136/.239/.227) make him tough to roster in even deeper two-catcher leagues.

Kratz will start behind the plate and bat eighth in Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kratz will make his fourth start of the season to give Buster Posey the day off for the series finale. The 38-year-old is hitless through his first 10 plate appearances with the Giants, but has walked once and been hit by two pitches.

Kratz will bat eighth and catch Friday's game against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Buster Posey set to man first base, Kratz will have an opportunity to make his first start as a San Francisco Giant. The veteran backstop hit .236 with six homers and 23 RBI in 67 games for Milwaukee last season.

Kratz will be the Giants' backup catcher, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kratz's role was initially unclear when the Giants traded for him Sunday, with Aramis Garcia also on the team. Garcia could still make the roster as well, as he can cover first base, but Kratz is in line for the second-most starts at home plate behind Buster Posey. The Giants will likely look to get Posey out from the squat on a fairly regular basis in his age-31 season, but the presence of Garcia means that there's no guarantee Kratz will have a workload larger than a typical backup backstop.