Sources close to the Rays said manager Kevin Cash has finalized the Opening Day roster (pending anything unforeseen in the next two days) and will announce it after today’s game in Lakeland. Cash was optimistic, telling the press,
If we remain healthy, I think we’re pretty good where we’re at. We have a very good sense of what we’ll be doing.
The potential holdup with roster announcement is with Erasmo Ramirez and the final starting pitching spot(s).
That would be the one thing, if there is a holdup, depending how that shakes out with those two spots, said Cash.
Also factoring into Cash’s decision, final decisions seem to be whether Curt Casali or Bobby Wilson will be the backup catcher, if Tim Beckham or Jake Elmore will get the backup infielder spot on the roster, and who fills the two or three remaining bullpen spots — Steve Geltz, CJ Riefenhauser, Kirby Yates, and the previously optioned Burch Smith and Jose Dominguez.
The team’s front office had multiple discussions about the roster Thursday and again Thursday night, however Cash and other team officials were still talking with the players about the final decisions Friday morning.
Ramirez met his teammates for the first time Friday, and seems excited by the opportunity to play for Tampa Bay following his trade from the Mariners. He will pitch Saturday at the Trop against the Tigers, though it isn’t known whether he’ll start the game or work out of the ‘pen.
Noteworthiness
- Yeah yeah yeah, Spring Training statistics are meaningless, yet this is still pretty great. Per Dave Haller,
Spring ERA leaders, @MLB: Cardinals 3.06 #Rays 3.12 Yankees 3.25 In road games: #Rays 1.96 Yankees 2.98 D-backs 3.28
— Dave Haller (@HallerDave) April 3, 2015