Colby Rasmus finally activated in Miami.
One of the Rays top off-season signings is finally active. Former Astro, LF Colby Rasmus, was activated off the DL in Miami on Tuesday and drew a pinch-hit walk in the seventh inning of the Rays 3-1 victory over the Marlins. Rasmus had begun the season on the 10-day DL to continue recovering from hip surgery. He was limited in the spring to just nine plate appearances and never took the field.
Manager, Kevin Cash, said Rasmus would be the every day left fielder against right-handed pitchers but see some time against lefties.
Return of “Duffman?”
Shortstop, Matt Duffy, is nearing his first rehab assignment which could mean a return is a week or two away. Duffy didn’t play at all during the spring and hasn’t played in a game since September 5th against the Orioles. When he’s activated, the Rays will have a tough decision to make between Tim Beckham and rookie Daniel Robertson. Beckham has shown some consistency at the plate, lately. He’s hitting .269/.303/.473 this year and playing solid defense at short. “D-Rob” has played stellar defense and is finally coming around at the plate. In his last five games, Robertson is hitting .250 with a .471 on-base percentage.
No rush for Ramos.
The Rays still have catcher, Wilson Ramos, slated to return in early June. Contrary to what Ramos said in the spring of hoping for a May activation to DH for a while before returning behind the plate. The duo of Derek Norris and Jesus Sucre have done a fine job of holding down the fort. They have 16 RBI between them while Sucre is hitting .259 in 10 games and Norris has hit a .375 clip in his last five games.
