The Tampa Bay Rays decided that they could use some depth and length in their bullpen, after playing in a 15 inning marathon on Sunday, and are calling up highly touted prospect RHP Jose De Leon from Triple-A Durham.
In spite of the move, RHP Erasmo Ramirez is still slated to start Monday night’s contest as previously scheduled.
De Leon won’t be placed into the rotation, rather he will lend a hand in the bullpen that has been stretched following the 6-1/2 long series finale on Sunday — the Rays had three relievers throw more than 30 pitches yesterday (Tommy Hunter, Danny Farquhar and closer Alex Colome) and they opted to add De Leon, who was scheduled to start today for the Bulls at Pawtucket.
De Leon, who has frequented top prospect rankings over the last three years, was acquired from the Dodgers this past winter in a trade for Logan Forsythe. He was placed on the disabled list at the end of Spring Training after incurring a flexor injury following a stint with Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
He was activated from the DL toward the beginning of May and has made three starts; two for the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs, and one for the Triple-A Durham Bulls in which he allowed four runs on eight hits over four innings. De Leon turned in a brilliant Triple-A campaign last season, posting a 2.61 ERA with an 11.6 K/9 and a 2.1 BB/9 over 86 Triple-A innings.
The Rays will have to make room on the 25-man roster for De Leon; barring any injuries, they likely will demote RHP Ryan Garton, who did not fare well in his first outing since being recalled on Sunday.
Rays 5/29/17 Starting Lineup
Souza RF
Dickerson LF
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Weeks DH
Kiermaier CF
Beckham SS
Norris C
Robertson 2B
Ramirez RHP
Noteworthiness
— You can read about tonight’s pitching matchup, and so much more, in our series preview.
— Tonight’s starter Erasmo Ramirez joins just four other pitchers to have save and start the next game:
A. Messersmith 1975-05-30
D. Drago 1979-08-04
A. McGaffigan 1983-07-24
S. Farr 1984-06-09
— The Rays have now won the longest 15-inninng game (6:26, yesterday) and 14-inning games (5:49, 5/2/14 at NYY) in MLB history.
— Yesterday’s game featured 553 pitches. The 289 pitches thrown by the Rays were their second most ever (292 on 9/20/13 vs. BAL, 18 inn).