Lots of Tampa Bay Rays relevant news on this Tuesday afternoon, ahead of tonight’s matchup against the Minnesota Twins.
From #Rays Archer, after Dr. Eaton exam and playing catch today: “Definitely a big sigh of relief.”
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) September 5, 2017
Chris Archer played catch this afternoon at Tropicana Field and said it went very well. The right-hander is still hopeful that he will be able to pitch in the weekend series against Boston depending on how he feels tomorrow, although it was announced that Austin Pruitt will start Friday’s contest. Last night the Rays received good news on the status of Archer, who was pulled from Saturday’s contest due to right lateral forearm tightness after throwing just eight pitches. Archer’s exam with team doctors showed no structural damage to his right arm.
In other injury news, Jake Faria (left abdominal strain) tossed a three inning simulated game at the Trop and told Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) that he felt really good about how he pitched and how he felt.
The team announced a series of roster moves this afternoon, promoting RHP Chaz Roe, LHP Jose Alvarado, and OF Mallex Smith. In order to clear room on the 40-man roster for Roe, the team recalled RHP Taylor Guerrieri then placed him on the 60-day DL.
Tampa Bay acquired Roe — who has pitched in a combined 93 big league games with the Diamondbacks, Yankees, Orioles and Braves — from Atlanta on July 18 in exchange for cash considerations. During his time with Triple-A Durham, he performed to an 0-3 record but a 3.00 ERA over 21 innings, while striking out 35 of 88 batters (40%).
Roe said he was excited to get back to the Major Leagues after a hectic bout with things before his acquisition by the Rays.
Finally, the Rays met this afternoon to discuss the logistics related to Hurricane Irma. The plan over the short-term is to leave for Boston on Thursday, giving the teammates an extra day with their families for storm preparations. As for how it may effect the team on their pending home stand against the Yankees, that situation is fluid. The players and staff will pack for extra days just in case the series needs to be relocated to the Bronx, or another neutral site.