The contending Rays are getting healthier – putting the AL on notice.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – In case you hadn’t heard, the Tampa Bay Rays are contenders in 2017. Don’t believe it? Check the standings.
What is maybe even better news is that they’re getting healthier. Catcher, Wilson Ramos, is making his 2017 debut with the Rays on Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles. The 2016 National League Silver Slugger Award-winner was signed by the Rays in the offseason to a two-year, $12.5M contract. After months of recovering from knee surgery – he’s finally taking the field. What does he bring to this already potent offense? In 2016 with the Nationals, he slugged 22 HR, 80 RBI, and hit .307 making the NL All Star squad. He also has playoff experience from the 2014 playoffs with Washington.
To make room on the roster, the Rays DFA-ed Derek Norris. The MLB catcher depth chart now consists of Ramos and Jesus Sucre.
Buffalo sighting. ???? pic.twitter.com/GUKJiLbHoB
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 23, 2017
Boxberger could be back next week.
Bullpen help is also on the way. RHP Brad Boxberger, recovering from a lat injury, is due to be activated any day now. Quite possibly by the time the club heads to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The Rays are hopeful “Boxy” can show signs of his 2015 self and bolster this bullpen that has struggled to a 4.25 ERA as a unit, 8th in the AL. Back in his All Star season of 2015, Boxberger led the AL in saves with 41 and struck out 74 hitters in 63 innings. Going back a year earlier, he was even more dominant. In 63 games in 2014, the righty struck out 104 hitters in 64.2 innings and pitched to a 2.37 ERA in his first year with the Rays.
Duffy may play in 2017, after all.
It was starting to look bleak. Frustrating was probably not the right word to describe what SS Matt Duffy has gone through since coming to the Rays last season. However, after visiting with his doctor this week, Duffy looks like he’s going to be ready to debut this season, and soon. Dr. Bob Anderson removed a “pea-sized” calcium deposit that hopefully will remedy the lingering Achilles issues and get Duffy back on the field as soon as possible. He will begin resuming baseball activities once his stitches heal.
Duffy came over in the Matt Moore trade last summer from the Giants. In just 21 games last year with the Rays he hit .276 with a home run and seven RBI. He missed all of Spring Training and hasn’t played an MLB game since September 5th.
Rasmus to the 10-day with hip tendinitis.
OF Colby Rasmus was placed back on the DL before the Orioles series this weekend. Rasmus said the issue is related to his off-season hip surgery but expects to be back with the team on June 29 in Pittsburgh. In 37 games this year, Rasmus is hitting .281 with nine home runs and 23 RBI. The Rays recalled OF Shane Peterson to take his place on the roster.
