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Rays place Wilson Ramos on DL for potential extended absence, seek replacement

 
Catcher Wilson Ramos Wilson Ramos leads the Rays with 53 RBIs and all regulars with an .832 OPS and a .372 average with runners in scoring position. [MONICA HERNDON  |  Times]
Catcher Wilson Ramos Wilson Ramos leads the Rays with 53 RBIs and all regulars with an .832 OPS and a .372 average with runners in scoring position. [MONICA HERNDON | Times]
Published July 18, 2018|Updated July 19, 2018

ST. PETERSBURG – The Rays made the inevitable move Wednesday of placing catcher Wilson Ramos on the disabled list while still looking for a replacement.

Ramos, 30, strained his left hamstring Saturday in Minnesota, which forced him out of Tuesday's All-Star Game.

The Rays placed Ramos on the 10-day DL backdated to Sunday, which makes him eligible to return Wednesday, but manager Kevin Cash said he was "going to miss some time.''

That is expected to carry beyond the July 31 deadline for nonwaiver trades, by which Ramos seemed likely to be dealt and bring the Rays a decent return. The Nationals and Astros were among those reported to be interested. Now the Rays' hopes might rest on Ramos being healthy before the Aug. 31 deadline to be postseason eligible if traded in a waiver deal.

Of more immediacy, the Rays need to find another catcher to pair with Jesus Sucre. The only internal option with major-league experience is Adam Moore, a 34-year-old journeyman who has played 96 big-league games over parts of eight seasons and started only 10 from 2011 on.

Moore is currently at Triple A with prospect Nick Ciuffo, a 23-year-old who has played only 23 games above Double A.

Also:

• Reliever Jose Alvarado was re-instated from the family medical emergency list, with Andrew Kittredge already sent down to make room.

• Two-way prospect LHP/1B Brendan McKay rejoined the advanced Class A Stone Crabs after missing more than a month with an oblique issue.