The New What Next: Rays vs Athletics — a series preview; Kiermaier placed on the DL with a fractured hip

Kevin Kiermaier gets checked on by Ron Porterfield after an awkward slide into first base on Thursday. He left the game with a fractured hip. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

The Tampa Bay Rays will begin a four-game, three-day set with the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. Both teams are coming series’ wins against the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays (respectively).

(Stats: ESPN)

In the series finale with the South-siders, Tampa Bay got back to the .500 mark for the 18th time this season thanks to Derek Norris, Peter Bourjos and Colby Rasmus, who powered the team to a 7-5 victory on the back of four homers. The Rays are currently averaging 4.54 runs per game, and are hitting .245 as a team. And in spite of a few sputters here and there, the starting pitching has been solid, posting a 3.98 team ERA (sixth in the Majors).

It isn’t all balloons and rainbows for Tampa Bay, however, as news broke that Kevin Kiermaier will miss up eight weeks with a hairline fracture in his hip — an injury which he incurred as he attempted to beat out an infield hit during the series finale. Instead of running through the bag, and potentially colliding with first baseman José Abreu, he slid into first. He left the game with what initially was called a jammed hip, however, an MRI Friday morning showed a hairline fracture.

He’s going to be out a while, Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

The speedy Mallex Smith has been recalled from Triple-A Durham, and will take over as the primary centerfielder.

He’s going to get his chance, Cash said.

Cash spoke about the injury with MLB Network Radio on Friday:

It, in no uncertain terms, is a crushing blow for the Rays and Kiermaier, who finally had started to come around on the offensive side of things. After all, the specter of last season’s 20-40 record with Kiermaier on the DL still lingers. The ball club did make contingencies in case of a situation like this, as they made sure to stock up on outfielder depth during the off-season. That depth will be tested starting this weekend.

The Athletics couldn’t sweep the Jays Thursday after former third baseman Josh Donaldson exacted some 10th inning revenge on Oakland, when he hit a two-run homer to break a five-to-five deadlock. Boding in their favor, and in spite of Oakland’s subpar record at the bottom of the AL West, the A’s now are scoring an average of 4.19 runs per game. Yet the .235 hitting team has paired a lackluster offense with a 4.60 team ERA (24th in the Majors).

This should be a pretty interesting series because of the scheduled double-header Saturday — the first since July 16, 2011, when the Athletics played host to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the second in the history of Tropicana Field (September 2004, due to Hurricane Frances).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Over the next four games Cash will lean on Alex Cobb (4-5, 4.52 ERA, 4.44 FIP), Erasmo Ramirez (3-1, 4.09 ERA, 3.89 FIP), Matt Andriese (5-1, 3.45 ERA, 4.64 FIP), and Chris Archer (4-4, 3.65 ERA, 2.86 FIP). Bob Melvin will counter with Andrew Triggs (5-5, 3.36 ERA, 3.80 FIP), Sean Manaea (5-3, 3.81 ERA, 3.22 FIP), Sonny Gray (2-2, 4.57 ERA, 3.80 FIP), and Jesse Hahn (2-4, 3.40 ERA, 2.89 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Cobb suffered his roughest outing of the season in his last start, allowing nine runs on 14 hits over five innings, including two home runs; one of which was a grand slam. He is 3-2 with a 2.44 ERA against the Athletics, including a four hit complete game shutout back on August 23, 2012 — the game in which our friend James Bowman (of Against Me!) threw out the first pitch.

Triggs had a tough start against the Nationals on Friday, relinquishing a career-high nine hits over 3-2/3 innings. He also gave up two home runs, which could continue to be a problem against the Rays who lead the Majors in homers. He, however, boasts a minuscule 0.72 ERA on the road this season, and has allowed three runs or fewer in five out of his last seven starts. This season Triggs has relied primarily upon a heavy 90 mph sinker which generates a lot of whiffs, a pedestrian 83 mph slider, and a 76 mph curveball with slight glove-side movement. Key matchup: Evan Longoria (1-1, 2B)

Ramirez gave up four earned runs over 4-2/3 innings vs. Seattle; his first loss of the season. The versatile hurler will make his sixth start of the season to open the double header on Saturday. The Rays have won four of Ramirez’s five starts, and the right-hander looks to bounce back.

Manaea extended his win streak to four games with a quality six-inning, two run/four hit effort against the Blue Jays. He struck out seven and walked three, while throwing a career-high 111 pitches. The left-handed hurler — who has relied primarily on his 92 mph four-seam fastball with heavy sink and some tail, a whiffy 85 mph changeup, and a whiffy 81 mph slider this season — blanked the Rays last season over eight string innings, scattering just four hits along the way. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-3), Corey Dickerson (1-3)

Andriese will make his return from the DL in the second game of the double header, after being shelved since May 30 when he made an early after 1-2/3 innings with a groin strain. Prior to the injury, Andriese was 4-0 in five starts.

Gray posted seven strong innings against Washington on June 4, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks, while fanning six. However, in his last road start, Gray gave up seven runs on nine hits over 4-2/3 innings. He has been hit or miss against Tampa Bay over seven career starts, going 2-2 with a 4.22 ERA. This season he’s relied primarily on a worm-killer 94 mph four-seam fastball, and a whiffy 93 mph sinker. He’s also mixed in a sweeping 81 mph curveball, an 85 mph slider with exceptional depth, and a hard sweeping 89 mph changeup. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (2-2, HR, RBI), Corey Dickerson (2-5, HR, 3 RBI), Evan Longoria (6-20, 2B, HR, 3 RBI)

Archer took a hard-luck loss on Tuesday, fanning 11 over seven innings, but allowing two runs on a pair of homers. The right-hander has gone at least seven innings in his past three starts, as well as seven of 13 overall, and now has collected double digit strikeouts in five of his last seven starts.

Hahn earned the win over Toronto in his first start back from the disabled list (right triceps strain). He allowed one run on seven hits over six innings, while walking one and fanning two. He also coaxed a pair of double plays in that outing. The Rays have only faced the right-hander — who this season has relied primarily upon a 94 mph sinker, while also mixing in a sweeping 76 mph curveball, a firm 86 mph circle changeup, and a ground ball inducing 85 mph slider — one time; a four hit, one run, 7-2/3 inning affair. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (3-7, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Evan Longoria (1-3), Derek Norris (1-2, BB), Colby Rasmus (2-7, 2B, RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (1-3)

Noteworthiness

— Jeff Sullivan (FanGraphs) wrote that the Athletics’ defense this season has, well…sucked:

This year’s A’s have been something of a mystery to me. No matter how you break them down, they don’t ever look very good, but they’ve felt like a statistical underachiever. Let me explain. You know our BaseRuns standings? The A’s have an actual run differential of -59, which is one of the worst in the game. However, they have an estimated BaseRuns run differential of -2, which is perfectly ordinary. That means the A’s have a difference of 57 runs, where no other team has a difference greater than 35. And while the lineup is a part of it, the run prevention has been worse than the estimate by 0.79 runs per game. No other team has been worse by more than 0.36.

Something has caused the A’s to allow more runs than they arguably should have. Now, in reality, a variety of things have contributed. There’s seldom ever one explanation. Yet the major factor here is the one described in the headline, and it should come as no surprise to anyone who’s watched the A’s on a regular basis. We’re a third of the way into the season, and the Oakland defense has sucked.

LBWMF: Jacob Faria notches first big league win as the Rays beat the ChiSox, 3-1

Jacob Faria posted the longest outing in an MLB debut (as a Ray) since Jeremy Hellickson in 2010. His line: 6.1 IP/3 H/1 ER/2 BB/5 K. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Jacob Faria tossed an impressive 6-1/3 innings in his big league debut on Wednesday, while the Rays scored three in the third inning en route to 3–1 win. Faria and the Rays were able to put an end to their four-game losing skid.

All told, the right-hander allowed just three hits and two walks, while fanning five on 95 pitches (62 strikes). The only run he allowed came in the first inning, when Leury Garcia reached on an infield hit, swiped second, then came home on Jose Abreu’s single to right.

Yet Faria locked it in from there and pitched to one over the minimum over the next six frames — allowing only one runner as far as second base, and retiring 17 of 19 in one stretch.

Faria’s four-seam fastball was the dominant pitch of the evening — of his 95 pitches, 60 were fastballs, and 10 of them (well located up in the zone) produced swings and misses. Faria worked his off-speed stuff off his fastball — a mid ’80s slider and a low ’80s changeup. Of the two, the changeup played better, as it had a lot of depth that took it below the zone. It generated weak contact and a couple of whiffs.

Faria discussed his pitch mix (among other things) after the game:

It was really the mix…it was the fastball/cutter…I threw a couple changeups to guys in situations, but other than that it was really the fastball/cutter mix that was really working.

Faria’s night was done after a four-pitch, one out walk in the seventh. Kevin Cash called upon Tommy Hunter to work through the micro jam. Hunter collected a pair of swinging strikeouts of Matt Davidson and Tim Anderson on seven pitches, all but erasing the previous night’s walk and error.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay took the lead in the third inning against Mike Pelfrey. Down by a run, Evan Longoria kick started the rally with an infield single through the hole at short, then went to third on Logan Morrison’s line drive double to right-center. Steven Souza Jr. struck out looking — something he did three times last night — but Colby Rasmus was intentionally walked, loading the bases.

With the bases juiced, Tim Beckham worked an eight-pitch at-bat before he shortened his swing, and hit an inside pitch to right, scoring Longoria and Morrison after Avisail Garcia bobbled the ball for an error.

Daniel Roberton followed by hitting a hard grounder to third, with Rasmus sliding in ahead of the throw home.

Still, the Rays had plenty of opportunities to do more damage against Pelfrey over the first four innings. Tampa Bay got the leadoff man aboard in each inning, yet went 1-12 wRISP, with Beckham’s single being the only hit.

The White Sox held the Rays in check over the final five innings, retiring the final 13 hitters between Pelfrey, Dan Jennings and Gregory Infante.

A lead is a lead, however, and Jose Alvarado and Alex Colome preserved it after Faria and Hunter. Alvarado hurled a perfect eighth on just eight pitches, while worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to notch his 16th save.

The New What Next

The Rays look to take the series on Thursday with Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 3.53 ERA, 5.23 FIP) on the mound. Left-hander Derek Holland (4-5, 3.43 ERA, 5.04 FIP) will get the start for the ChiSox.

Odorizzi allowed eight runs (three earned) in 2-1/3 innings on Friday. He gave up two homers, including a grand slam, and threw 77 pitches. The right-hander has given up at least one homer in seven consecutive starts, leading a to a career-worst 1.9 HR/9, while his 5.38 FIP/4.49 xFIP belie his pristine 3.75 ERA. He hopes to rebound against a White Sox squad that ranks 29th in wOBA against right-handed pitchers (.291) Wednesday night.

Holland was touched for eight runs on eight hits over 58 pitches and 2-1/3 innings Friday night. He allowed three home runs. Holland has been good otherwise, allowing at most three runs just twice this season, and averaging just under six innings per start. The Dutch Oven is 4-3 in 11 starts against the Rays, although he’s cultivated a rather meaty 4.66 ERA in that span. This season Holland has relied upon his 92 mph worm killer four-seam fastball, and a 79 mph 12-6 knuckle curveball with little depth. He’s also mixed in an 81 mph slider with 12-6 movement, a 92 mph sinker with arm-side run, and an 84 mph fly ball inducing changeup. Key matchups: Evan Longoria (9-28, 4 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 3 BB), Derek Norris (4-13, RBI, BB), Colby Rasmus (3-12, 2B, HR, RBI), Jesus Sucre (3-5, 3 2B)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 6/8/17 Starting Lineup

Souza Jr. RF
Dickerson DH
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Kiermaier CF
Beckham SS
Robertson 2B
Norris C
Bourjos LF
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays have activated Peter Bourjos from the DL, and he’s in the lineup tonight in left field hitting ninth. To make room for Bourjos, Jacob Faria has been optioned back to Triple-A Durham.

— Food for thought:

— Tim Beckham spoke to Buster Olney about the atmosphere in the Rays’ clubhouse, the potential of Tampa’s young stars and much more.

LBWMF: Rays drop fourth straight in frustrating 4-2 loss

Steven Souza Jr. reacts after striking out swinging in the eighth inning with two on and two outs. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

The Tampa Bay Rays dropped their fourth consecutive game Tuesday night, 4-2, because when you go 1-for-7 wRISP, and strand 11 runners on base, you don’t win games.

The Rays and White Sox traded runs in the first after Yolmer Sanchez hit was was ruled a leadoff homer to center field off Chris Archer, that was said to have hit a ring. Sanchez’s 63 foot liner knuckled its way out to centerfield, fooling Kevin Kiermaier as the ball landed 30 feet away from him. Sanchez coasted into third with a standup triple, however, the third base umpire inexplicably signaled home run, saying the ball hit a catwalk.

Tampa Bay disputed the call, yet it stood. The phantom catwalks strike again?

In the bottom of the frame against Jose Quintana, Corey Dickerson came up with a one out hustle double to right-center, and then scored on a bloop single to right by Evan Longoria — knotting the score at one for the next six innings. That’s not to say the Rays didn’t have chances to plate runs, because they did. Rather they couldn’t capitalize on those opportunities.

Tampa Bay loaded the bases in the fifth on three walks (one intentional) and an error, yet Quintana struck out Logan Morrison — who finished the night by going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts — to end that rally. Inning over, lots of chicken left on the bone.

Then in the sixth, Tim Beckham walked against Quintana, and Kiermaier grounded a single to right. Both runners were wild pitched into scoring position, however, Rickie Weeks Jr. struck out for the first out of the inning. And while Quintana finished May with a 1-3 record and a 5.91 ERA, and was 2-7 with a 5.60 ERA/4.30 FIP overall, he held the Rays to just one run despite allowing eight base runners to reach.

Chris Beck entered the game and intentionally walked pinch-hitter Brad Miller to load the bases, yet after falling behind Jesus Sucre 3-and-0, Beck got Sucre to ground into a 6–4–3 double play. Inning over, lots of chicken left on the bone.

Avisail Garcia then rudely welcomed Archer to the top of the seventh by blasting a 1–0 slider well into the left field seats. That spoiled what otherwise was a good night for the right-hander, who fanned 11 batters over seven innings while scattering five hits and allowing zero free passes. Archer cajoled the ChiSox into whiffing 18 times and still only needed 103 pitches to get through seven frames. He now has collected double digit strikeouts in five of his last seven starts.

In the bottom of the frame, the Rays drew a leadoff walk, but never moved Steven Souza Jr. past first. Inning over, chicken left on the bone

Down by one, Kevin Cash handed the ball over to Tommy Hunter to maintain the deficit. Hunter allegedly misunderstood the strategy though, and Chicago tacked on a run on Jose Abreu’s two out-single to right. That brought home Leury Garcia, who initially reached on a walk then moved to third on an errant pickoff throw.

Now down by a pair, Tampa Bay mounted one last rally against Tommy Kahnle in the bottom of the frame. Beckham reached on an infield single, the went to second on Kiermaier’s base hit up the middle. A passed ball moved both runners into scoring position. Pinch-hitter Colby Rasmus stepped into the batter’s box in place of Weeks, who went 0’fer for the night including three strikeouts. Rasmus hit a bullet down the line but right at Abreau at first, and the runners couldn’t advance.

Following Rasmus, Miller was intentionally walked once again, loading the bases yet again. Sucre came up big with a sacrifice-fly to right which also allowing Kiermaier to move up 90 feet. After Miller swiped second, Souza struck out to end the threat. Inning over, lots of chicken left on the bone

Chicago capped the scoring in the top of the ninth inning against Ryan Garton when Todd Frazier homered to centerfield. The late runs against Hunter an Garton just reinforced a recurring narrative: starting pitching gets the ball to the relievers, who either squander a lead or kill any chance at a rally.

The New What Next

The Rays will try to regain their winning ways on Wednesday when right-handed Jacob Faria (6-1, 3.07 ERA, 3.22 FIP) makes his big league debut opposite fellow righty Mike Pelfrey (2-4, 3.86 ERA, 4.67 FIP).

The Rays have promoted Jacob Faria in an effort to rest an overtaxed rotation. Calling up Faria for a spot start on Wednesday allows the Rays to get an extra day of rest for Alex Cobb, Jake Odorizzi and Erasmo Ramirez. Faria has been successful in the minors because of the downward plane his length and mechanics create on his fastball, paired with strong velocity (averaging 93-94 mph) and some movement. His changeup boasts diving action that causes hitters to whiff over the top of it, and it plays up because of the deception created by his delivery and mechanics. His curveball is more of a show-me pitch, but he is able to throw it for strikes, and when he throws it down in the zone, it can generate ground balls.

Pelfrey left his last start with a five inning two-hitter, and a one-run lead, yet finished with a no-decision because the White Sox’s bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. This season he has relied upon his 93 mph sinker with arm side run, an 83 mph splitter which dives out of the zone, a whiffy 71 mph curveball, and an 84 mph slider with 12-6 movement. Pelfrey has a 3.86 ERA/4.67 FIP in eight starts, and is 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA in four starts against Tampa Bay. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-3, 2B), Evan Longoria (4-11, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Michael Martinez (3-7, HR, 4 RBI), Colby Rasmus (4-12, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB)

You can read more about the series in our preview.

Rays 6/7/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson DH
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1b
Souza RF
Rasmus LF
Beckham SS
Robertson 2B
Norris C
Faria RHP

Noteworthiness

— One positive from the game, the Rays had two strike ‘em out/throw ‘em out double plays by Archer, Sucre and Beckham last night.

— With Faria being called up, Cash said in his post game presser that Michael Martinez would be designated for assignment. However, there has been a change of plans. The Rays instead placed INF Brad Miller on the 10-day DL with a right groin strain to make room for Faria.

Miller had gone hitless in nine plate appearances since being activated from the DL on June 2nd, after suffering a mild abdominal strain. He also made a pair of critical fielding gaffes in his return to action Friday night. Daniel Robertson, who’s shown to be more than capable of fielding second base, will again fill in  the injured Miller.

— Derek Norris is being investigated by Major League Baseball after his ex-fiance made allegations of physical and emotional abuse.

The New What Next: Rays vs ChiSox — a series preview; Jacob Faria promoted

At least Corey Dickerson continues to produce. Vote Corey! (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays will begin a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night. The struggling Rays dropped three straight on the road in Seattle, while the ChiSox have lost five in a row after getting swept over the weekend at Detroit.

(Stats: ESPN)

Both teams are looking to turn their fortunes around after rough weekends.

The Rays were outscored 31-7 in Seattle, ending their recent nine-game road trip with a 4-5 record after starting the +6,000 mile westward trek 4-2. Tampa Bay gave up 38 hits combined to the Mariners, dropping below .500 (29-30) after winning 10 of the previous 15.

It’s unfortunate, we didn’t really give ourselves a chance in this series, Evan Longoria said following Sunday’s 7-1 loss. We potentially ran out of gas after some good wins.

The White Sox actually fared worse, surrendering 49 runs while losing five in a row, including 32 in their most recent set in Detroit. The Southsider’s welcomed the respite Monday after the series finale this past Sunday, dropping them to a season-low seven games below .500 at 24-31.

When you’re playing baseball you get into a flow, and the only way to get out of a little rut is to keep playing, manager Rick Renteria explained. But in terms of freeing our mind a little, maybe (this day off) will help us.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Rays manager Kevin Cash will lean on Chris Archer (4-3, 3.74 ERA, 2.74 FIP), Jacob Faria (6-1, 3.07 ERA, 3.22 FIP), and Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 3.53 ERA, 5.23 FIP) over the next three days. Renteria will counter with Jose Quintana (2-7, 5.60 ERA, 4.30 FIP), Mike Pelfrey (2-4, 3.86 ERA, 4.67 FIP), and Derek Holland (4-5, 3.43 ERA, 5.04 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Archer gave up four runs on seven hits over seven innings in his last start. He fanned seven and walked two. He has collected double-digit strikeouts in four of his last six starts. Texas steadily chipped away at the Rays’ ace, scoring exactly one run against Archer in four separate innings. He’s stumbled on a few different occasions, but Archer’s impressive strikeout ratio has helped him collect his sub four ERA, sub three FIP, and 1.18 WHIP.

Quintana, who finished 1-3 with a 5.91 ERA over six starts in May, must be happy it’s June. Then again at 2-7 with a 5.60 ERA/4.30 FIP overall, the season hasn’t been kind to the left-hander, who has allowed 15 runs on 18 hits over his last seven frames. Don Cooper (White Sox pitching coach) noticed that Quintana has had problems keeping his fastball down in the zone, while fastballs away to right-handers are leaking back over the plate. Let’s hope he doesn’t rebound in the series opener, eh? Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-3), Kevin Kiermaier (5-11, 2 2B), Evan Longoria (4-14), Michael Martinez (2-3), Logan Morrison (4-12), Rickie Weeks (1-3)

Per Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), the Rays have promoted Jacob Faria in an effort to rest an overtaxed rotation. Calling up Faria for a spot start on Wednesday allows the Rays to get an extra day of rest for Alex Cobb, Jake Odorizzi and Erasmo Ramirez. Faria has been successful in the minors because of the downward plane his length and mechanics create on his fastball, paired with strong velocity (averaging 93-94 mph) and some movement. His changeup boasts diving action that causes hitters to whiff over the top of it, and it plays up because of the deception created by his delivery and mechanics. His curveball is more of a show-me pitch, but he is able to throw it for strikes, and when he throws it down in the zone, it can generate ground balls.

Pelfrey left his last start with a five inning two-hitter, and a one-run lead, yet finished with a no-decision because the White Sox’s bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. This season he has relied upon his 93 mph sinker with arm side run, an 83 mph splitter which dives out of the zone, a whiffy 71 mph curveball, and an 84 mph slider with 12-6 movement. Pelfrey has a 3.86 ERA/4.67 FIP in eight starts, and is 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA in four starts against Tampa Bay. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-3, 2B), Evan Longoria (4-11, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Michael Martinez (3-7, HR, 4 RBI), Colby Rasmus (4-12, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB)

Odorizzi allowed eight runs (three earned) in 2-1/3 innings on Friday. He gave up two homers, including a grand slam, and threw 77 pitches. The right-hander has given up at least one homer in seven consecutive starts, leading a to a career-worst 1.9 HR/9, while his 5.38 FIP/4.49 xFIP belie his pristine 3.75 ERA. He hopes to rebound against a White Sox squad that ranks 29th in wOBA against right-handed pitchers (.291) Wednesday night.

Holland was touched for eight runs on eight hits over 58 pitches and 2-1/3 innings Friday night. He allowed three home runs. Holland has been good otherwise, allowing at most three runs just twice this season, and averaging just under six innings per start. The Dutch Oven is 4-3 in 11 starts against the Rays, although he’s cultivated a rather meaty 4.66 ERA in that span. This season Holland has relied upon his 92 mph worm killer four-seam fastball, and a 79 mph 12-6 knuckle curveball with little depth. He’s also mixed in an 81 mph slider with 12-6 movement, a 92 mph sinker with arm-side run, and an 84 mph fly ball inducing changeup. Key matchups: Evan Longoria (9-28, 4 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 3 BB), Derek Norris (4-13, RBI, BB), Colby Rasmus (3-12, 2B, HR, RBI), Jesus Sucre (3-5, 3 2B)

Noteworthiness

— Topkin noted the moves necessary to add Faria to the roster:

For Wednesday: Add Faria, send down a reliever (Ryan Garton?)
For Thursday: Send down Faria, add a reliever. (Jumbo Diaz off DL or callup such as Chih-Wei Hu)
For Saturday: Add reliever as 26th man, start Ramirez in 1st game, activate Andriese off DL for second game, send down reliever

— A trio of players appeared in a rehab game Monday. Brad Boxberger struck out all three batters he faced, slashing 1 IP/0 H/0 R/0 BB/3 K.

Wilson Ramos caught and went 0-for-1 with a walk in his debut with Tampa Bay, while Peter Bourjos went 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

— Matt Duffy isn’t likely to return until the end of June, or even the All-Star Break, as he continues his lengthy recovery from Achilles tendon surgery last September.

Thank goodness that’s over; Wilson Ramos to start rehab stint for the Rays in Port Charlotte

Thank goodness that’s over.

The Tampa Bay Rays returned home Sunday night following a disastrous three-game series in Seattle. They entered Safeco Field two games over .500, and left one game under in a statistical tie for last place in the AL East with the Blue Jays.

(Stats: ESPN)

Two quotes succinctly summed up the series:

We’ve been beat from the bottom of the first on Friday until now, Rays skipper Kevin Cash said. I guess the only good thing is that we’re getting out of here. They beat us in every facet — outpitched us, outhit us, outdefensed us, outmanaged us. Everything. We need to get back home.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Probably one of the worst trips I’ve personally been a part of, Rays starter Chris Archer said, and it’s going to take some time to catch up.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

‘Nuff said.

In better news, a trio of players — C Wilson Ramos (right knee), RHP Brad Boxberger (flexor), and OF Peter Bourjos (tennis elbow) — will either play in their first rehab games, or continue their rehab stint, for the advanced Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs on Monday.

Ramos, signed in the offseason after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL in his right knee, is inching closer to his Rays debut. The catcher is coming off a career year in which he received the Silver Slugger award for his campaign.

Boxberger, plagued by injuries over the past 18 months, is also nearing his 2017 debut. The right-hander only appeared in 27 games last season, after pitching in 132 games over the previous two seasons. The organization hopes he will help stabilize the Rays bullpen.

Bourjos will continue his rehab stint with the Stone Crabs after hitting the disabled list at the end of May.