Rays Roster Moves – Page 142

With the Return of Alex Cobb Looming, Who Gets Cut to Make Room? (Updated)

The Rays could send Gomes back to Triple-A Durham in hopes he’d work through his recent found pitching woes. I’d imagine a move like this could be construed as a last ditch opportunity for Lueke to prove his worth. However, I’d also argue the release of Bell should have sent Lueke a clear message — his spot in the ‘pen isn’t a certainty, nor is it safe. After all, if Friedman and company were willing to eat $5.5MM on an underperforming Bell, there is a very realistic possibility that Lueke could be the next to befall the axe.

The Case For Wilson Betemit

One thing became glaringly obvious following the transition from Spring Training to the regular season: the Rays are strapped for left handed bench depth. On a few different occasions this season, Tampa Bay has faced less than favorable matchups in key situations late in a game, yet they haven’t been able to do anything to change it. Tampa Bay might have a solution in veteran switch-hitter Wilson Betemit.

Rays 5/15/14 Starting Lineup, More On Zobrist, Etc

Jennings CF
Forsythe DH
Longoria 3B
Myers RF
Rodriguez 2B
Loney 1B
Escobar 2B
Guyer LF
Hanigan C
Bedard LHP

The New What Next: Rays vs. Halos — A Series Preview of Sorts

I wouldn’t say the Rays are out of the weeds just yet — after all, they’re still down a couple of pitchers and Ben Zobrist is out for the time being, while he mends from a bone dislocation in his left thumb. Yet, I can’t help but feel a sense of cautious optimism. Generally speaking, the pitching staff seems it may have turned a corner, and over the last week or so the team has started to play like the vintage Rays — their wins Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday speak to that. Tampa Bay still hasn’t shown it can win more than a few games here and there, so the next step for the Rays is to string together wins with consistency. They’ll attempt the to do just that in Anaheim, where they’ll face the Los Angeles Angels (or as Neil deGrasse Tyson called them, The The Angels Angels) in a four-game weekend series.

Ben Zobrist Dislocates Left Thumb

Ben Zobrist was pulled from the game Wednesday afternoon after an errant steal attempt in the fifth inning. With one out and David DeJesus in the box, Ben Zobrist attempted to swipe second base. DeJesus struck out and Ben was tagged out for an inning-ending double play. Zobrist grabbed his thumb in pain as he slid.