The Tampa Bay Rays made a flurry of roster moves ahead of Wednesday night’s contest in Baltimore, activating centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier, placing LHP Cody Reed and RHP Luis Patiño on the 10-day Injured List, and recalling right-handed relievers Trevor Richards and Louis Head from Triple-A Durham.
Kiermaier recovered quickly from the left wrist sprain he sustained on May 8, in Oakland. Wednesday was the first day the centerfielder could be activated, and the Rays cleared a spot for him by optioning Kevin Padlo back to Triple-A Durham following the series opener against the Orioles.
My wrist is more than ready to go. I’m excited to be back in there and contribute.
— Kevin Kiermaier
Meanwhile, Reed was placed on the 10-day IL due to left thumb weakness, which likely led to spotty command and an early exit from Tuesday’s contest. The numbness in Reed’s hand progressively got worse while he was on the mound until he lost the ability to grip the ball. Reed is expected to be seen by doctors when he returns home in hopes that the recurring issue can be identified and treated.
You feel for the guy. You’re frustrated for him. He’s worked hard. There’s definitely a lot to like about him. But I think, talking to Cody after the game last night, he’s frustrated certainly with not being able to feel the ball, the grip of the ball. … He’s got more in the tank, and he’s just not able to cut it loose because of that reoccurring lack of feeling in his hand.
— Kevin Cash
As for Patiño, who exited last night’s ballgame after 3-1/3 innings and 82 pitches, the right-hander was placed on the 10-day IL due to a right middle finger laceration. The Rays skipper realized that Patiño was bleeding as a result of one of his nails cutting into the side of his finger while he gripped his breaking ball. It’s believed that it will be a short stint on the IL for the right-hander, who could resume throwing in a day or two.
Louis Head and Trevor Richards from Durham were recalled to take the place of Reed and Patiño. Both hurlers made five appearances for the Rays this season, with Head performing to a 3.86 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in seven innings of work, and Richards maintaining a 4.91 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 11 innings.
Per Adam Berry (MLB.com), “Both have pitched well in Triple-A; Head has six strikeouts over three scoreless, hitless appearances, and Richards struck out 12 while allowing just three hits and one walk in 7 1/3 innings over seven outings.”
The velo has ticked up a little bit. All of his stuff has played up. Brady (Williams, Durham’s manager) was incredibly excited for Trevor and really wants to see him perform well and make the most of the opportunity that he feels he can really help us in the bullpen.
— Kevin Cash
Updated Covid Restrictions
According to a team release, the Rays are upping the seating capacity, as well as updating the safety rules at the Trop.
The Rays on Tuesday announced single-game ticket information for June home games, an increase in ballpark capacity and a modified mask-wearing policy at Tropicana Field.
Citing increasing vaccination rates in Florida and the continuation of other health and safety protocols at Tropicana Field, the Rays announced that capacity for their home games will increase to approximately 20,000 fans next month. There will be two choices of seating categories: full-capacity sections, with no distance between other fans, and socially distanced sections, with tickets available in Sections 203-224 in pods of one to six people and a minimum of 6 feet between each pod.
Along with those changes, The Trop’s 300 level — opened to make room for the necessary social distancing between seating pods — will be closed again, as it was in 2019, to bring fans closer to the field.
The Rays will play four series at home during June 8-27, hosting the Nationals, Orioles, Red Sox, and Angels. Tickets for those games will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. ET on Friday, May 28. (Tickets for all home games through May 30 are on sale now.) Tickets are available exclusively through the MLB Ballpark app or at RaysBaseball.com. Season-ticket members have priority access to purchase tickets through an online presale.
Beginning on May 25, when the Rays return home to host the Royals and Phillies, masks will be optional for fully vaccinated fans at Tropicana Field, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. However, all fans 2 years and older who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to wear a face mask at all times while at the ballpark.
The club said it will continue to review seating capacity along with health and safety measures throughout the season. A full list of the Rays’ health and safety measures can be found at RaysBaseball.com/HealthandSafety.
The Rays will announce ticket information for future games as the season progresses. The club is encouraging fans to purchase parking in advance on the MLB Ballpark app to reduce contact with stadium staff. Prepaid parking is discounted, with more information available at RaysBaseball.com/Parking.
— Team Release
Noteworthiness
— Tampa Bay traded auxillary catcher Kevan Smith to Atlanta for cash considerations. Smith had been designated for assignment on Sunday to make room for Francisco Mejía, who was activated from the IL.