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Matt Bush | Relief Pitcher

Team: Tampa Bay Rays
Age / DOB:  (27) / 2/8/1986
Ht / Wt:  5'9' / 195
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
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Matt Bush will accept a plea deal from the state of Florida next week in order to end his DUI hit-and-run case.
Bush's father, Daniel, said the plea will involve a prison sentence of at least three years, not including the time already served in a Charlotte County Jail. Bush, who will turn 27 in February, was the No. 1 pick of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. Obviously, his future in baseball is very much up in the air. Fri, Dec 14, 2012 02:19:00 PM
Source: Tampa Bay Times

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Date:
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Rays released RHP Matt Bush.

Bush is still in a Charlotte County Jail after being arrested in March on charges of DUI, hit-and-run and property damage for hitting a motorcyclist and fleeing the scene. Now 26 years old, Bush was the No. 1 pick of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.
Fri, Oct 5, 2012 04:37:00 PM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

A judge in Charlotte County, Florida has reduced Matt Bush's bail from $1.015 million to $440,000.

The number is still probably out of Bush's price range, considering the reports that he had only $2,000 left in his bank account when he struck a 72-year-old motorcyclist in March while drunk. The former No. 1 overall pick is facing charges of DUI, hit-and-run and property damage. He's likely done with professional baseball for good.
Source: Joe Smith on Twitter
Thu, May 3, 2012 12:45:00 PM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Matt Bush's bond reduction ruling has been postponed until Monday due to a health issue with the prosecutor.

The former first overall draft pick is currently in the Charlotte County jail in Florida with a bail of $1.015 million. His lawyer is trying to have that reduced. Bush faces charges of DUI, hit-and-run and property damage for striking a 72-year-old motorcyclist last month while drunk and leaving the scene. The Rays have placed him on the restricted list and will likely release him once it becomes convenient for them to do so.
Source: Joe Smith on Twitter
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 11:09:00 AM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Matt Bush broke down in tears Monday morning during a short testimony at his bond reduction hearing.

"I have no desire, will or want, to drink again," Bush told the court. The former No. 1 overall pick remains in jail in Charlotte County, Florida on charges of DUI, hit-and-run and property damage after striking a 72-year-old motorcyclist with an SUV during a drunken rampage last month. Bush was placed on the restricted list by the Rays and is doubtful to ever return to professional baseball. His bond reduction hearing will be continued Thursday.
Source: Tampa Bay Times
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 12:35:00 PM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Rays placed RHP Matt Bush on the restricted list.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster and will not get paid, but the Rays have not given him his release yet. But, Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman has already said that Bush will never play for the team again, so it's only a matter of time. The former first-round pick is currently in the Charlotte County jail in Florida facing charges of DUI, hit-and-run and property damage after he hit a 72-year-old motorcyclist.
Fri, Mar 30, 2012 03:35:00 PM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

The 72-year-old motorcyclist whom Matt Bush struck with an SUV on Thursday is "completely unresponsive."

If the man dies, Bush will face a prison sentence of at least two years. The former first overall draft pick is currently in the Charlotte County jail in Florida with a bail of $1.015 million. He's facing charges of DUI, hit-and-run and property damage, but that list is likely to grow. The Rays are expected to release him soon from their 40-man roster.
Source: Tampa Tribune
Tue, Mar 27, 2012 12:25:00 PM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Tampa Bay Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said Matt Bush won't play for the Rays again.

Bush is in the Charlotte County jail with a bond of $1.015 million. He was arrested for DUI and fleeing the scene of a crime Thursday night in Florida after hitting a 72-year-old motorcyclist with his SUV and driving off. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 MLB Amateur Draft was trying to revitalize his career in a relief role with the Rays, but the end of that dream is the least of his problems at the moment.
Source: Tampa Bay Times
Sun, Mar 25, 2012 06:01:00 PM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Matt Bush was arrested for DUI and fleeing the scene of a crime Thursday night in Florida.

Bush, who hit a 72-year-old motorcyclist with his SUV and then drove off, has also been charged with property damage and suffered what are being described as "serious injuries." The No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 MLB Amateur Draft was trying to revitalize his career in a relief role with the Rays, but it's quite possible that Tampa Bay will simply decide to cut ties with him. This isn't the first time Bush has been in serious legal trouble, and it's not the first time a mistake of his has been fueled by alcohol.
Source: Roger Mooney on Twitter
Thu, Mar 22, 2012 11:07:00 PM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Matt Bush was arrested Thursday in Florida for leaving the scene of an accident with an injury.

There aren't many more details available at this time. Bush, a former No. 1 overall pick of the Padres, has been in and out of legal trouble for much of his baseball career. In 2004, shortly after being drafted, he was suspended for his role in a fight at an Arizona night club. In 2009, he was allegedly involved in a drunken assault on a high school campus. The 26-year-old former shortstop signed a minor league contract with the Rays two years ago, looking to revitalize his career as a reliever.
Source: Roger Mooney on Twitter
Thu, Mar 22, 2012 10:40:00 PM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Matt Bush pitched two hitless innings out of the pen Monday versus the Twins.

Bush hasn't allowed a run in 4 2/3 innings so far, though he was lucky to escape his last outing having given up three hits before being pulled. The converted shortstop and former No. 1 overall draft pick isn't at all likely to win a spot in the Rays pen out of spring training, but a successful stint in Triple-A could get him to the majors for the first time.
Mon, Mar 12, 2012 04:28:00 PM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Rays manager Joe Maddon has singled out Matt Bush as looking good early on in spring training.

"Here's a guy that's overcoming a lot of adversity, and he's doing a great job with it," Maddon said. "To his credit, the second half of last year (for Double-A Montgomery) in the Southern League I guess he was lights out, and it looks like he's carrying that over right now, because it looks really good." Bush, who is a former No. 1 overall pick as a shortstop, posted a 3.04 ERA and 35/9 K/BB ratio over 23 2/3 second half innings last year at Double-A. It would be a nice story, but he remains a longshot to win a spot in the bullpen.
Source: St Petersburg Times
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 08:50:00 AM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Rays reassigned RHP Matt Bush to minor league camp.

He was one of eight to be cut, with LHP Alex Torres also among the notables to receive his pink slip. A former No. 1 overall pick, Bush is making the conversion from shortstop to pitcher and needs to build up his innings. Torres impressed in camp and could be the first one up should injuries hit the Rays rotation.
Sat, Mar 12, 2011 02:05:00 PM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Rays purchased the contract of RHP Matt Bush.

Bush struck out 20 over 13 2/3 relief innings between Rookie ball and High-A this season, evidently doing enough to convince the Rays to add him to the 40-man roster. The troubled former No. 1 overall pick will turn 25 in February.
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 03:19:00 PM
Matt Bush - R - Rays

Rays signed RHP Matt Bush to a minor league contract.

The troubled former 2004 first-round pick will take the first step at salvaging his once-promising career in March. Bush, now 24 years old, missed the entire 2008 season following Tommy John surgery -- just one of several setbacks during his tenure with the Padres -- and was released by the Blue Jays last April after violating a "zero tolerance" policy with the team. Bush was sentenced to 120 days in residential rehab after pleading guilty to assault charges in July. Hopefully he'll come to camp with a positive attitude and renewed outlook.
Thu, Jan 28, 2010 01:14:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Jose Molina
2Jose Lobaton
1B1James Loney
2B1Kelly Johnson
2Sean Rodriguez
SS1Yunel Escobar
3B1Evan Longoria
LF1Matt Joyce
2Sam Fuld
CF1Desmond Jennings
RF1Ben Zobrist
DH1Luke Scott
2Ryan Roberts
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1David Price
2Jeremy Hellickson
3Matt Moore
4Alex Cobb
5Roberto Hernandez
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Fernando Rodney
2Joel Peralta
3Kyle Farnsworth
4Jake McGee
5Cesar Ramos
6Jamey Wright
7Brandon Gomes
8Josh Lueke
9Alex Torres
10Jeff Niemann
11Juan Carlos Oviedo