RHP Erasmo Ramirez has pitched so well out of the bullpen that the Tampa Bay Rays may not move him back to the rotation, even though that was the original plan.
Once we were going to go to a four-man rotation, we knew that we were going to use Erasmo in some pretty high-leverage situations, manager Kevin Cash told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times). I don’t think any of us could have said he was going to be pitching this good at this point. Not discounting him at all, he’s just been unbelievable.
In 24 total innings of work, Erasmo is 5-1 with a 1.13 ERA/3.04 FIP (accruing a 1.65 ERA in 10 relief appearances). The right-hander has fired off 10-1/3 innings of one-run ball since April 19, fanning seven hitters against just one walk with an impressive 60.7% ground-ball ratio. His overall relief numbers are equally (if not more) impressive, as Ramirez has tossed 16-1/3 relief innings this season and yielded just three runs (all earned) on 11 hits and a walk with 13 strikeouts.
With Alex Cobb on the mend and not expected back until late July, Tampa Bay could turn to Blake Snell or Matt Andriese when the need for a five-man rotation arises in mid-to-late May.
If Ramirez can sustain his success, he could bolster a Rays’ bullpen that is also on the verge of getting closer Brad Boxberger (offseason hernia surgery) back as well. That begs the question, what will the Rays do to free up two active roster spots in order to activate both Boxberger and an undetermined starter should Ramirez stay in the ‘pen?
Reliever Danny Farquhar was optioned to Triple-A Durham to free up a spot for Blake Snell on April 23rd. That spot is currently filled by RHP Jhan Marinez, who has been effective in 3-2/3 relief innings with Tampa Bay, allowing one run on two hits, while ringing up three and walking none. Marinez could be optioned back to Durham in order to make room for Boxberger, however, the team would still need to clear up another spot for a starter from Triple-A, be that Snell or Andriese.
In my estimation, two pitchers are on the bubble: RHP Ryan Webb and LHP Dana Eveland ― neither of whom have options remaining.
Tampa Bay inked a deal with Webb for his ability to coax ground balls. However, the righty has allowed eight runs on 11 hits (including two homers, good for a 28.6% HR/FB) in eight innings of work. Still, a .375 BABIP (71 points over his career average) speaks to a certain amount of bad luck at play. As for Eveland, he’s allowed five runs in just 6-1/3 innings.
It’s a tough call. A left-hander with a deceptive arm slot is a desirable weapon to have in the ‘pen. However, a ground ball coaxing righty can also be a deadly option. Whatever the case, Cash has a couple more weeks to make a decision; perhaps a clear path will present itself by then.