A Long Island Duck Is Flying South To The Big Leagues

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – The Long Island Ducks' 24th season has been going full swing since it kicked off in April when they they defeated Atlantic League champion Lancaster Stormers at home at Fairfield Properties Ballpark under new manager, Lew Ford.

Now one Duck, 28-year-old Arkansas native Tyler Zuber, is spreading his wings and flying south to join the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He will report to the team’s Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls, in North Carolina.

“Tyler did an exceptional job for us as our closer,” said Ford. “He has earned this opportunity in his quest to return to the Major Leagues, and we wish him the best of luck.”

This won't be the first time Zuber's played in the major leagues. During two seasons with MLB, he made 54 relief appearances with the Kansas City Royals between 2020 and 2021. In early 2024, Zuber, an Arizona resident, made seven relief appearances with the Cleveland Guardians during spring training. In 2019, he was named a Carolina League Mid-Season All-Star with the Wilmington Blue Rocks (A+, Royals).

Zuber is the fourth Duck to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization or a foreign professional league in 2024. In April, pitcher Chris Ellis went to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Dan Straily joined the Chicago Cubs and Raynel Espinal joined Rieleros de Aguascalientes. Since beginning play in 2000, the Ducks have had 30 players reach the Major League level after joining Long Island, and 111 have had their contract purchased.

This season, Zuber played six games with the Ducks. According to the organization, he compiled a 1.58 ERA, with just one run in five and two-thirds innings of work. He also gave up just five hits and one walk while striking out 10 batters and recording two saves. the Ducks said. He struck out at least one batter in each of his six games and held opponents to a .238 batting average.

For the full list of Ducks players who have gone on to the major leagues, click here.