ST. PETERSBURG — Feeling a sense of urgency to get their season on track, the Rays on Friday designated Harold Ramirez for assignment to make room for Taylor Walls on the active roster. The move, which removed a popular player from their clubhouse, will have ripple effects.
“We certainly could have optioned someone, and we talked about it, but I think we’re 62 games into a season that, quite candidly, we haven’t quite figured out that right winning recipe,” president of baseball operations Erik Neander said.
“I think there’s a point where you’re preserving depth, and keeping your options open is important. But I think we’re at a point where we felt like it was best in our judgment to put the best players together to go out here and compete.”
Manager Kevin Cash said Walls will be the starting shortstop, while Jose Caballero will see time at second and third base, as well as shortstop. Isaac Paredes will start at third and play some first as well. That will create flexibility for when Cash wants to rest second baseman Brandon Lowe or first baseman Yandy Diaz.
The move also will allow Cash to use the designated hitter spot more strategically. Amed Rosario can step in against left-handed pitchers, and Diaz and Randy Arozarena will have more chances to get off their feet.
“Rosey is going to DH, primarily be in there against left-handed pitching,” Cash said. “So, yeah, there’s a little bit more we can do. We can get a guy off their feet, and with Richie (Palacios) or Jonny (DeLuca) out in the outfield, they can plug in, whether it’s for Randy or Josh (Lowe), whatever it is.”
In Friday night’s 6-3 loss to the Orioles, Walls started at short, Caballero played second and Rosario served as the designated hitter. Walls doubled in his first plate appearance of the season. Caballero also doubled, and Rosario drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
The Rays went into the game with the least production from the DH spot in all of baseball. Their DHs had just seven extra-base hits, including one home run, and 17 RBIs.
Ramirez was limited defensively and saw only occasional action in the outfield. The 29-year-old also struggled at the plate this season. After two straight years of batting over .300 with a slugging percentage over .400, he slipped to .268 and .305 this season. Of his 44 hits, only four were for extra bases.
The Rays tried to trade Ramirez during the winter, but the market was flooded with right-handed hitters.
Walls, who began the season on the IL after offseason hip surgery, gives the Rays more versatility on defense. He can play shortstop and second base, though he does not bring much offensively. A career .189 hitter, the 27-year old hit .201 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 99 games last season.
Rehab update
While the Rays are now at full strength position-player wise, they have several pitchers trying to make comebacks this season.
Lefty Colin Poche (mid-back tightness) is expected to pitch for Triple-A Durham this weekend, and then the Rays will make a decision on whether to activate him. Right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow surgery) began throwing bullpens on May 21 with a the goal of throwing live batting practice the first week in July.
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Explore all your optionsLefty Jeffrey Springs (elbow reconstruction) threw one inning in the Florida Complex League on Friday, striking out three. The goal is for him to pitch two innings in Triple A on June 12. Right-hander Jacob Waguespack (rotator cuff inflammation) flew home to be with his wife as she gives birth to their child.
Lefty Shane McClanahan (elbow reconstruction) is not expected back this season but began his throwing program. He is throwing long toss out to 120 feet.
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