Advertisement

Rays journal: Wilson Ramos will miss All-Star Game

 
Published July 15, 2018|Updated July 15, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS — C Wilson Ramos had been so looking forward to starting Tuesday's All-Star Game in Washington, where he played seven seasons and, depending on the latest rumor, could be returning via trade.

But he lost that opportunity Saturday, withdrawing from active duty after straining his left hamstring in the sixth running to first, and is likely headed to the disabled list.

"I was very excited to participate in that game, but now I'm very sad because I will be out. … I worked really hard to make that team,'' said Ramos, who has been replaced on the AL squad by Indians C Yan Gomes. "It's disappointing. It's very frustrating to not participate in the All-Star Game. But it's better to miss one game than two months. I have to be smart and do my rehab well and come back strong."

The Rays don't have another catcher on their 40-man roster and only Adam Moore at Triple A with any big-league experience. They could gamble on Jesus Sucre getting through Sunday's game with no backup, then have the four-day break to sort things out.

Ramos has been a true star for the Rays, batting .297 with a team-high 53 RBIs, and is also likely their biggest trade chip. He was expected to be dealt before the July 31 deadline, but an extended DL stint could impact that.

Ramos said he still plans to go to Washington for All-Star festivities, sharing the time with his family, some of whom are coming from Venezuela, but just won't be able to play.
3B Matt Duffy was also taken out of Saturday's game after rolling his right ankle on an aggressive swing, but said he was fine and will play Sunday.

Arched up

RHP Chris Archer joked he was a nonfactor in the 19-6 win in working only 4⅓ innings (on 93 pitches), but manager Kevin Cash was pleased with the improvement from how he looked in his Monday return from the DL. Noting that the Twins drove up his pitch count with quality at-bats, Archer said, "My stuff was probably better than it has been all year.''

Pitching changes

LHP Hoby Milner was acquired from the Phillies for cash considerations to add an arm to the bullpen. RHP Chih-Wei Hu was optioned back to Triple A to make room on the 25-man roster, and RHP Ryan Weber was designated for assignment to create space on the 40-man roster. … RHP Jaime Schultz got his first big-league win in an odd way, working 2⅔ but pulled after walking two in the ninth and a pitch count of 53. … LHP Blake Snell's All-Star usage could change this, but the Rays plan to open postbreak play against the Marlins with RHP Nathan Eovaldi on Friday, followed by a bullpen game, Archer, another bullpen game, then Snell.

Future stars

Advanced Class A Charlotte OF Jesus Sanchez and Double-A Montgomery 1B Nate Lowe are set to play in Sunday's All-Star Futures Game in Washington. Sanchez, who Cash said "looked like Darryl Strawberry" during a spring cameo, is 20 and one of their top prospects, hitting 298 with 9 homers, 56 RBIs and a .782 OPS for the Stone Crabs. Lowe, 23, is the older brother of 2016 first-round pick Josh Lowe but has earned attention on his own with an impressive season: .349 with 18 homers, 73 RBIs and a 1.018 OPS between the Stone Crabs and Biscuits.

Miscellany

INF/OF Daniel Robertson was out of the lineup (though came in late to replace Duffy) due to an 0-for-12 skid with seven strikeouts. … OF Carlos Gomez said he meant no ill will in what seemed to be a bit of an overzealous reaction after his ninth-inning homer (his first since June 1) off Twins INF Williams Austidillo: "No disrespect. … It just happened. It's part of me.''