NEW YORK — The hows and how oftens are still being determined, but the when is known: pitching phenom David Price will join the Rays bullpen today.
Price, 23, made a rapid rise through the minor leagues, starting his pro career in May at Class A Vero Beach and pitching his way through Double and Triple A. He was promoted Friday after Durham's season-ending loss, having gone 12-1, 2.30 in 19 minor-league starts, then 1-0, 3.27 in two playoff starts for the Bulls.
Three others were also called up: Outfielder Jonny Gomes will join the Rays today and pitchers Jeff Niemann and Mitch Talbot on Monday (though Talbot could be summoned Sunday if needed).
Price, who last pitched Tuesday, could make his debut during today's split doubleheader.
"For David to get this opportunity so early in his career speaks volumes about him," executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "We still feel like there's some things developmentally that he needs to work on. There were a little bit of road bumps for him in Triple A, but it's good for his development to have experienced it, and we think for him to be a part of this environment and what's going on right now will further aid in his development."
Friedman said "all three (pitchers) can help us, they've all pitched extremely well this year, and we feel like in the right situations they'll all give us a nice boost over the last two weeks."
Because all three have been starters, the Rays will be cautious and creative in how, and how often, they are used, specifically Price, the hard-throwing left-hander who was the top pick in the 2007 draft. "We're going to come up with something that we feel like works," Friedman said.
Most of the attention will be on Price — and Friedman even referred to the "Price rules" for how he can be used — and though the Rays expect him to have an impact, they are also concerned that expectations are too high.
"I am sensitive to the expectations that are out there with David," Friedman said. "This is his first year of professional baseball, he still has some things to work on. That said, we feel like in certain situations he can help us."
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