The Tampa Bay Rays look to make it two in a row after Alex Cobb flirted with a no hitter in last night’s extra innings 4-2 win against the Pirates.
Following the ball-game, the Rays made a handful of roster moves, adding left-handed pitchers Blake Snell and Adam Kolarek, while optioning LHP Jose Alvarado and RHP Austin Pruitt to Triple-A Durham.
The #Rays have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/sKQlwxGEzB
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 28, 2017
Alvarado’s demotion, while not expected, was warranted as the southpaw had struggled since an impressive first month following his promotion from the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. Alvarado gave up runs in five of his last six outings while taking three losses.
Per Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), the Rays didn’t have any obvious replacements, but are turning to Kolarek, who had been pitching well for them at Triple-A Durham, posting a 1.36 ERA for 33 innings over 31 games, allowing 26 hits and 12 walks with 29 strikeouts.
Kolarek spent time both in Double-A and Triple-A last season. He received a spring training invite from the Atlanta Braves, but was let go and ended up re-signing with Tampa Bay at the end of Spring Training. He initially spent time in the Mets organization, getting as far as Triple-A for two games four years ago.
When Kolarek makes his big league debut, he will become the eighth such player to do so for the Rays this season. Only the Cincinnati Reds have one more player that’s done the same.
To make room for Kolarek on the 40-man roster, the Rays moved CF Kevin Kiermaier from the 10-day to the 60-day DL.
Rays 6/28/17 Starting Lineup
Smith CF,
Dickerson LF
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza Jr RF
Ramos C
Beckham 2B
Hechavarria SS
Snell LHP
Noteworthiness
— Blake Snell has the third worst first pitch strike percentage and the worst swing percentage (minimum 40 innings). It’ll be interesting to see how he improved during his stint with Durham.
— Speaking of Snell, you can read about tonight’s pitching matchup in our series preview.
— Former Rays skipper Joe Manager penned an editorial for the Tampa Bay Times, discussing what is time with the Rays meant to him