X-Rays Spex

A Below Average Rays Fan Blog

LBWMF: Rays drop fifth straight, 2-1 against Chicago

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  • I call bullshit. Avisail Garcia’s moon shot traveled further than 459 feet. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After five consecutive losses, a season-high, the Tampa Bay Rays look to salvage the final game of three against the Chicago White Sox. In losing the series to Chicago, Tampa Bay has lost a set to a team with a sub-.500 record for the first time this season.

Saturday recap:

— The Rays wasted a solid start by Ryan Yarbrough, who tossed six shutout innings while allowing two hits with no walks and five strikeouts. Tampa Bay didn’t score through six frames, and Chicago eventually won the game in extra innings. At the end of April, Yarbrough’s ERA sat at 8.10, resulting in a demotion. And while he’s had some rough outings since then, the left-hander owns a 2.75 ERA in his last 11 appearances. Since June 18, he has allowed just three runs across 27-1/3 frames (0.99 ERA). Overall, Yarbrough is 8-3 with a 3.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 58 punchouts in 75-2/3 innings (16 appearances) including five starts.

— 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position with 10 left on base. The Rays have scored just nine total runs over the life of their losing streak, and over the past six games are just 3-for-40 wRISP.

— While the Rays had plenty of opportunities to score runs (see above), they only pushed one run across on a moon shot by Avisail Garcia.

I call bullshit, that ball traveled further than the StatCast projection of 459 feet. Hadn’t the 2008 banner (which deflected the ball onto the catwalk) been there, the would have landed in the party deck, some 470 feet to 480 feet away.

— This pitch apparently broke the internet and/or physics:

— Try not to act surprised. Kevin Kiermaier exited the game with a left thumb sprain suffered on a head-first slide into first. Kiermaier had an MRI after the game which did not show a tear in the ligament, thus surgery on the injury will not be required.

The outfielder has been placed on the 10-day Injured List, while OF Guillermo Heredia has been recalled from Triple-A Durham. Kiermaier said he regrets sliding into first base, but also said he was just trying to make a play to help the team win. He hopes to be back in 10-15 days, saying the results of the MRI this morning were the “best news” he could have gotten.

The New What Next

Blake Snell (5-7, 4.55 ERA) will take the mound in the series finale, pitching opposite of Dylan Cease (1-1, 5.73).

Blake Snell allowed one run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four. Snell threw an inefficient 93 pitches (56 strikes, 60% strike rate) and did not have a clean inning in his first three frames, yet his only real mistake resulted in an Edwin Encarnacion solo shot in the fourth inning. Snell exited the contest in line for his sixth win of the season. The southpaw lowered his ERA by 15 points to 4.55 and has managed a 3.82 K/BB across 95 innings on the season. Snell is 3-0 with a 1.07 ERA in five career starts against Chicago (25-1/3 innings).

Dylan Cease allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk with seven strikeouts on Tuesday. Kansas City scored two unearned runs in the first inning, yet that’s all they would need to hand Cease the loss. He displayed better control in this outing than in his first big league start, however, working more in the zone resulted in eight hits allowed. In two Major League starts, Cease owns a 5.73 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and a 10.64 K/9 in 11 innings of work. He relies primarily on a 97 mph four-seam fastball with heavy sinking action and a whiffy 85 mph slider with lots of depth, while also mixing in an 80 mph 12-6 curveball, and an 83 mph changeup with a lot of backspin and surprising cut action.

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup is below.

TNWN: Rays vs ChiSox — a series preview

Rays 7/21/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Choi DH
  2. Meadows RF
  3. Pham LF
  4. Lowe 1B
  5. Diaz 3B
  6. Garcia CF
  7. Wendle 2B
  8. d’Arnaud C
  9. Adames SS

Noteworthiness

— Rays skipper Kevin Cash said Matt Duffy is on a flight back to St. Petersburg and looks to be activated at some point during the Boston series.

LBWMF: Rays look to bounce back from a 9-2 loss on Friday

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16,791 fans attended the series opener against Chicago Friday night, allowing the Rays to increase their per game average to 15,514. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

Tampa Bay played poorly in the field while Brendan McKay had his first sub-par start in the majors, as the Rays fell to the Chicago White Sox on Friday, 9-2. The Rays have dropped four straight games, while Chicago snapped a seven-game skid.

McKay allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits (including five doubles and a homer) while striking out five across 3-1/3 innings. McKay got off to a rough start, giving up a run in the first inning following by three in the second and two more in the fourth prior to being lifted. The southpaw struggled mightily in his second outing since the All-Star Break, although he still owns a 3.72 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 18 punchouts over 19-1/3 innings this season. He threw 76 pitches (52 strikes, 68% strike rate).

As for the defensive miscues, Leury Garcia started the game with a double that sailed over Austin Meadows’ head in right-center as he overran it. In the second inning, with two outs and a runner on first, Adam Engel beat out a grounder to Joey Wendle at short before Garcia looped a ball to right that fell between Mike Brosseau, Meadows and Nate Lowe for what was scored a two-run double. That was followed by another double that fell into play similarly.

The Rays answered in the bottom of the first inning after Meadows tripled to left-center off Reynaldo Lopez and scored on Ji-Man Choi’s single to right-center. They also got one back in the second when Wendle hit a bloop double to center with two outs, and Brosseau drove him home on a run-scoring double to left-center.

That was all they would score of Gomez, ending the night 2-for-7 wRISP while stranding seven men on base. Tampa Bay didn’t get a runner beyond second after the second inning. The Rays have scored just eight total runs in the last four games.

Andrew Kittredge took over for McKay one out in the fourth and managed to get the final two outs of the frame without any more damage, but Chicago added two more in the fifth on a pair of two-out runs. Engle tripled to right after Sanchez hit a bloop double in front of Tommy Pham in left. A wild pitch scored Engel to put the Sox up by six.

Oliver Drake, Emilio Pagan, and Diego Castillo were able to pitch scoreless innings for the Rays, which is encouraging, however, Yolmer Sanchez capped the scoring on a two-out RBI double against Ryne Stanek in the ninth.

The New What Next

Ryan Yarbrough (8-3, 4.26 ERA) will get the start opposite of White Sox ace Lucas Giolito (11-4, 3.23 ERA).

Ryan Yarbrough was excellent on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out six over 6-1/3 innings. Yarbrough carried a combined perfect game into the ninth inning before he surrendered a run in the bottom of the frame on a single to right field. The 27-year-old southpaw has thrown the ball well of late, relinquishing just three runs over his last five appearances (21-1/3 innings) while fanning 19. Yarbrough is 0-0 with an 8.44 ERA in one career outing (5-1/3 innings) against the White Sox.

Lucas Giolito gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five across six innings on Monday. Giolito coaxed 10 swinging strikes in the hard-luck loss quality start. Giolito had dominated Kansas City in his career, posting a 6-0 record with a 2.13 ERA coming into this contest. Even with the loss, it was a bounce-back outing for Giolito after he allowed six runs in his previous start against the Cubs. Giolito has an 11-4 record with a 3.23 ERA, a 10.6 K/9 and a 3.3 BB/9 (3.21 K/BB) through 18 starts this season. He is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two career starts against Tampa Bay (14 innings). Key Matchup: Travis d’Arnaud (1-3, HR, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs ChiSox — a series preview

Rays 7/20/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Choi 1B
  2. Meadows RF
  3. Pham LF
  4. Lowe DH
  5. Diaz 3B
  6. Wendle 2B
  7. Garcia CF
  8. Adames SS
  9. Zunino C

Noteworthiness

— The Rays made several roster moves on Saturday, recalling RHP Hunter Wood from Triple-A Durham, activating Chaz Roe from the 10-day Injured List, optioning Brendan McKay to Durham, and placing Ryne Stanek on the 10-day IL with right hip soreness. Stanek is the 20th different Ray to be placed on the IL this season.

— The Rays have lost their last four home games to Chicago, extending back to 2018. Yesterday the White Sox struck out 16 times but also collected 16 hits, their most in a road game this season.

— Per Neil Solondz (Rays Radio), Matt Duffy was off yesterday and will play today. With the Rays scheduled to face three lefties against Boston, there’s a good chance he will be activated for that series.

d’Arnaud, Rays come from behind to defeat New York, 5-4; Glasnow update

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  • Move over Dan Johnson, there’s a new legend in town, Travis d’Arnaud. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

If the Tampa Bay Rays make the playoffs this season, Monday’s late-inning, come from behind victory will be a ballgame that will be looked back upon with great reverie. Travis d’Arnaud hit three big home runs ⁠— tying a franchise record originally set by Evan Longoria ⁠— in the Bronx, the last of which gave Tampa Bay the go-ahead lead with two outs in the ninth. The Rays snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, beating the first-place Yankees, 5-4.


Source: FanGraphs

Blake Snell got the start and allowed one run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four. Snell threw an inefficient 93 pitches (56 strikes, 60% strike rate) and did not have a clean inning in his first three frames, yet his only real mistake resulted in an Edwin Encarnacion solo shot in the fourth inning. Snell exited the contest in line for his sixth win of the season. The southpaw lowered his ERA by 15 points to 4.55 and has managed a 3.82 K/BB across 95 innings on the season.

Meanwhile, d’Arnaud gave the Rays a first-inning lead when he hit a solo homer to right on a 3-2 pitch off starter James Paxton to start the game.

d’Arnaud hit another solo shot in the third inning on a 1-0 pitch for a two-run lead.

The backstop now has two multi-home run games with Tampa Bay, and eight homers on the season, three of which have come against New York.

Yet for the second consecutive game against Paxton, the Rays were unable to tack on any runs in spite of numerous opportunities.

In the fourth inning, Avisail Garcia hit a one-out infield hit but was thrown out trying to go first to third on Kevin Kiermaier’s single to right. Then in the fifth inning, Willy Adames singled to left and swiped second, although he was picked off second when Joey Wendle squared around to bunt.

An inning later, Garcia walked after an infield single by Yandy Diaz. However, Kiermaier struck out and Guillermo Heredia hit a soft liner to short, ending the threat. The Rays ultimately went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Yankee starters have posted a 2.49 ERA (22 earned runs across 79-2/3 IP) against Tampa Bay this season.

Down by a run in the seventh, New York tied the game on a two-out, 0-2 homer by Gio Urshela off Emilio Pagan. Pagan followed by allowing a walk and a hit before he struck out Aaron Judge on a high, 96 mph fastball to keep the game knotted up at two apiece.

Andrew Kittredge followed Pagan in the eighth inning and struck out Luke Voit and Gary Sanchez. However, Aaron Hicks singled to right before Edwin Encarnacion worked a nine-pitch at-bat, consequently resulting in a two-run homer to left, giving the Yankees a 4-2 lead.

Down by a pair in the ninth, Kiermaier and Heredia singled to start the frame against All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman. However, Adames and Wendle struck out giving the Rays one last shot. With two on and two out, d’Arnaud worked an eight-pitch at-bat before homered into the short porch in right on a hanging slider.

Kittredge, who put the Rays behind in the eighth, got the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth before he walked Aaron Judge to extend the frame. At 38 pitches (29 strikes, 76% strike rate), Kittredge was lifted in favor of The Drake. Voit worked a full count before he struck out looking to end the game.

It was Tampa Bay’s first win this season when trailing after eight innings (1-32), and New York’s first loss when leading after eight (49-1). After winning just one ballgame against the Yankees all season, Tampa Bay has won the last three meetings against New York.

Noteworthiness

Ryne Stanek (0-2, 3.14 ERA) will open for the Rays and will be followed by left-hander Jalen Beeks (5-0, 2.79 ERA), who will be recalled before the game. They’ll be opposed by C.C. Sabathia (5-4, 4.03 ERA).

In 26 opens this season, Ryne Stanek has a 1.98 ERA and has struck out 46 across 41 innings. The Rays are 17-9 in games started by Stanek this season. The right-hander threw two perfect frames on Sunday, although he gave up four runs in one inning the last time he faced the Yankees.

Jalen Beeks was initially optioned to Triple-A Durham at the end of June, but he’ll return to the big league roster for the second game of the series. Beeks has managed a 2.79 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP across 61-1/3 innings this season, with 51 punchouts. Beeks was stretched out to 80 pitches at Triple-A.

C.C. Sabathia allowed three runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts across seven innings in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Saturday. Even though he didn’t capture his third consecutive win, Sabathia did post his third straight quality start. He’s pitched fairly well since the beginning of June, although a couple of bad outings have bloated his ERA to 4.67 in his last six starts. He now is 18-16 with a 3.59 ERA in 52 career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Micheal Brosseau (1-2, BB), Travis d’Arnaud (5-15, RBI, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (6-19, 2 HR, 2 RBI), Nate Lowe (1-2, HR, 2 RBI), Tommy Pham (4-13, RBI, BB), Joey Wendle (1-2)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs Yankees — a series preview, part five

Rays 7/16/19 Starting Lineup

    null
  1. d’Arnaud 1B
  2. Pham DH
  3. Brosseau 2B
  4. Diaz 3B
  5. Garcia RF
  6. Meadows LF
  7. Adames SS
  8. Kiermaier CF
  9. Zunino C

Noteworthiness

— In order to make room for Beeks on the 25-man roster, the Rays optioned outfielder Guillermo Heredia.

— Tyler Glasnow, who has been on the shelf with a flexor strain since the beginning of May, will not be allowed to begin his throwing program for at least two weeks after his latest MRI, which came back clean.

The Rays are taking a cautious approach with Glasnow, who is an important piece in the long-term puzzle

Rays manager Kevin Cash announced Monday that the right-hander may not make it back this season, which could intensify the team’s efforts to acquire pitching before the July 31 trade deadline.

— Anthony Bemboom, who the Rays activated from the IL then designated for assignment Monday afternoon, has been acquired by the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations. The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster ahead of the pending activation of Matt Duffy from the IL.

Rays pound Orioles, 16-4; look to continue win streak in the doubleheader Saturday

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The Orioles may have provided the fireworks outside Camden Yards, however, the Rays provided them inside the ballpark. (Photo Credit: Baltimore Orioles)

After setting season highs in runs and hits Friday night — as the Rays exploded for 16 runs on 20 hits — Tampa Bay is set for a day-night doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles today.

Source: FanGraphs

The Rays put up seven runs in the first inning and never looked back. Tommy Pham blasted a home run to right off Dylan Bundy with one out, starting the seven-run outburst.

Kevin Kiermaier doubled and scored on a Yandy Diaz single to center, then Nate Lowe doubled to right, putting runners at second and third. After Diaz scored on a wild pitch, Joey Wendle hit an RBI single and swiped second, putting himself into scoring position. Wendle scored on a Travis d’Arnaud base hit to left before Willy Adames and Austin Meadows each doubled, giving Tampa Bay a seven-run frame, and spelling the end of Dylan Bundy’s night.

In the second inning, Diaz singled against Gabriel Ynoa before Lowe launched a two-run homer to center, putting the Rays up by nine.

Tampa Bay went on to score seven more runs. Offensively, Lowe led the attack with four of the team’s 20 hits, three of the 16 runs batted in, and two runs scored. Seven different players had multiple hits, while all nine starters had a hit before the second inning was complete. They scored five two-out runs, while five of the Rays eight first-inning hits came with two strikes.

Yonny Chirinos allowed just two runs on four hits with no walks and eight strikeouts across seven innings. The Orioles scored two-out runs in the third and fourth innings, their only tallies against the Rays starter. The 25-year-old turned in his best outing since June 7, although he has pitched well over the last month plus. Overall, Chirinos is 8-4 with a 3.11 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 89 punch outs across 107 innings this season.

The New What Next

It’s a beautiful day for a ballgame. Let’s play two today!

— Ernie Banks

Brendan McKay (1-0, 2.45 ERA) and Charlie Morton (10-2, 2.32 ERA) will get the start for Tampa Bay, while Baltimore will counter with Aaron Brooks (2-3, 5.01 ERA) and John Means (7-4, 2.50 ERA).

Brendan McKay allowed three runs over five innings on Friday against the Yankees, fanning three while walking none and allowing six hits. McKay gave up a solo homer to Aaron Judge in the first inning and a two-run single to Mike Tauchmann in the fifth. He now owns a strong 2.45 ERA through his first two big-league starts, although his 15.0% strikeout rate is nothing close to the 35.3% mark he managed in Triple-A this season. McKay will be the 26th man and will be recalled on Saturday for the doubleheader. 

Aaron Brooks was claimed off waivers from Oakland and will start game one, his first start since April 30th. As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) noted, David Hess is the 26th man, so he could provide some length.

Charlie Morton punched out 10 while allowing one run on five hits and one walk across 5-2/3 innings on Sunday. Morton found himself in a pitching duel with James Paxton and prevailed by only allowing a solo home run and generating 13 swinging strikes. Morton has back-to-back starts with 10 or more strikeouts and has a league-leading 83 punch outs on his curveball. Morton’s 2.32 ERA is the best in the American League heading into the second half of the season.

John Means allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and no walks while striking out five across seven innings Wednesday against Tampa Bay. Means pounded the strike zone, with 71 of his 98 pitches going for strikes (72% strike rate). After throwing only 84 pitches and working five innings in his first start after being activated off the injured list on June 28, Means posted his longest start since May 6. While his 7.5 K/9 isn’t particularly impressive, Means maintains a 1.0 HR/9 and 2.4 BB/9 across 82-2/3 innings this season. As a result, he currently holds a 2.50 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 2019. Key Matchups: Michael Brosseau (1-3, HR, RBI), Yandy Diaz (1-4, 2B), Avisail Garcia (1-4, RBI), Guillermo Heredia (2-3, 3B), Joey Wendle (1-3)

You can read about the series in our preview, and I’ll post both starting lineups upon availability.

TNWN: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview, part four

Rays 7/13/19 Starting Lineup (Game 1)

  1. Meadows RF
  2. Pham LF
  3. Kiermaier CF
  4. Diaz 3B
  5. Lowe 1B
  6. Brosseau 2B
  7. Choi DH
  8. Wendle SS
  9. Zunino C

Rays 7/13/19 Starting Lineup (Game 2)

  1. Heredia CF
  2. Pham LF
  3. d’Arnaud C
  4. Diaz DH
  5. Garcia RF
  6. Lowe 1B
  7. Brosseau 3B
  8. Wendle 2B
  9. Adames SS

Noteworthiness

— 1B/DH Ji-Man Choi (left ankle strain) has been activated from the 10-day DL. Ian Gibaut, who pitched two innings on Friday left and was the only reliever used in the game, has been optioned to Triple-A Durham. That gives the Rays 13 position players to use for the doubleheader.

Rays look to cap homestand with a win; on attendance, Alvarado, Castillo, and Duffy

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The Rays have seen big crowds at the old big top the last six days, and another is expected this afternoon. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

After a magnificent, 4-3 walk-off win over New York, the Tampa Bay Rays will look to gain another game on the AL East-leading Yankees before the All-Star Break this afternoon. A victory would give the Rays a series split and a winning homestand.

The walk-off win was the second for Tampa Bay this season and the third victory for the Rays in 12 tries against New York. A few key events led up to the Rays win.

Blake Snell allowed one run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts across five innings of work. Even though he didn’t get the win, Snell followed his 12-strikeout performance from his last start with another stellar, albeit labor intensive, outing. The Yankees worked the hurler over his 93 pitch (62 strikes, 67% strike rate) outing, yet Snell certainly didn’t get any help from the home plate umpire, who made more than a few egregious calls.

(vs. RHH; green dots are balls, red are strikes)
(vs. LHH; green dots are balls, red are strikes)

For the fifth time in his last seven appearances, Snell averaged more than a strikeout per inning, as he lowered his ERA to 4.70 ERA with 122 strikeouts across 90 innings.

Chaz Rowe, doppelgänger of the singer for System of a Down, actually pitched well in the sixth inning. He notched three strikeouts (two swinging) while walking one on a beefy, yet effective, 24 pitches (13 strikes, 54% strike rate). Why? Because “he wanted too.”

https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1147630350908215297

I guess you could say that Roe had his slider working on Saturday.

Down by one in the seventh inning, Nate Lowe hit his second homer of the season, a two-run blast to right field, giving the Rays a 3-2 lead.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1147640208663257088
https://twitter.com/DingerTracker/status/1147639152885850113

Colin Poche got within a strike of his first big league save, yet Aaron Hicks spoiled the occasion, hitting a two-out, 0-2 solo shot in the top of the ninth. However, Travis d’Arnaud ultimately had the last laugh, hitting his own two-strike, two-out solo homer into the first row of the right-field seats — capping the ballgame with Dan Johnson-like heroics.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1147652586037624832
https://twitter.com/DingerTracker/status/1147651416464461826

On Attendance

Tropicana Field has now played host to six consecutive games of 20-thousand plus baseball fans (yesterday’s attendance: 21,477), allowing the Rays to increase their per game attendance average to 15,385 — a difference of 802 fans per game over this time last season. They are one of just thirteen teams in the league whose attendance has increased over last season. In fact, the Yankees have seen their average attendance drop by 2,923 fans per game. A modest increase? Absolutely, but positive change is positive change, and I’ll take it.

Furthermore, Tampa Bay hit the 20-thousand home attendance mark for the time this season with another big crowd is expected this afternoon. For context, 20-thousand plus fans attended just nine of the 81 home ballgames last season. Tampa Bay IS a big league market…thank you fans for proving that point. Now, let’s keep things going after the All-Star Break.

The New What Next

All-Star Charlie Morton (9-2, 2.35 ERA) will start for the Rays in the series finale against New York, pitching opposite of James Paxton (5-3, 4.09 ERA).

Charlie Morton was dominant in his outing against Baltimore, allowing one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out 12 across seven innings. Morton’s sole blemish of the contest came on a third-inning solo homer by Chris Davis, otherwise, he held the Orioles without an extra-base hit and didn’t allow a baserunner into scoring position until his final inning of work. It was his second double-digit strikeout performance of the season, and he’s now racked up 132 strikeouts across 107 innings of work. Morton has also supplied All-Star ratios, managing a 2.36 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.

James Paxton allowed one earned run on eight hits and two walks while striking out three across six innings on Tuesday. Paxton surrendered just a solo home run to J.D. Davis in his outing — only his second quality start in seven chances since coming off the IL in late May. Paxton was unable to generate much deception with his pitches, recording just 12 swinging strikes on 103 total pitches (12% SwStr). The left-hander is 3-0 with a 3.32 ERA in three career starts against the Rays, and 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA in two starts at the Trop. Key Matchup: Avisail Garcia (3-5, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs Yankees — a series preview, part four

Rays 7/7/19 Starting Lineup

  1. d’Arnaud 1B
  2. Pham LF
  3. Diaz 3B
  4. Garcia RF
  5. Lowe DH
  6. Brosseau 2B
  7. Adames SS
  8. Kiermaier CF
  9. Zunino C

Noteworthiness

— The Rays are expected to place Jose Alvarado on the injured list today with a right oblique strain. The left-hander could be out two to six weeks depending upon the results of an MRI scheduled for today. Alvarado would be the 18th different player on the IL for Tampa Bay this season.

— Matt Duffy (hamstring) played five innings for the Gulf Coast League Rays on Friday and went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. After an off-day today, Duffy will likely play seven innings on Monday with the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

What he’s said to me is he feels the best he has all season long, so hopefully no setbacks, get him off and get him running. Let’s see how these first three, four games go before we start thinking when it’s time. He still has work to do timing-wise, but we’re thrilled he’s feeling better.

— Kevin Cash

— High leverage reliever Diego Castillo threw a 15-pitch live bullpen session with third baseman Matt Duffy standing in prior to Saturday’s contest against the Yankees.

Castillo, who has been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation since June 23, hit 98-100 mph on the radar gun with his fastball. He will pitch on Tuesday for the Stone Crabs and could rejoin Tampa Bay on Friday, in Baltimore.

He’s going to take a couple of days off and will throw an inning on Tuesday, and if all goes well, we’ll anticipate him being activated for Friday in Baltimore.

— Kevin Cash