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Rays appear likely to put Erasmo Ramirez in rotation

 
Erasmo Ramirez has started 35 games in the majors, going 7-12 with a 4.62 ERA including a dozen relief appearances, and is a more experienced option for the No. 4 slot than Matt Andriese, who has yet to pitch in the big leagues. [AP photo]
Erasmo Ramirez has started 35 games in the majors, going 7-12 with a 4.62 ERA including a dozen relief appearances, and is a more experienced option for the No. 4 slot than Matt Andriese, who has yet to pitch in the big leagues. [AP photo]
Published April 2, 2015

TAMPA — While insisting plans have not been finalized, Rays officials talked Wednesday about the benefits of putting newly acquired RHP Erasmo Ramirez in their injury-depleted rotation, citing his experience and ability to work deep into games.

"He's going to help us," manager Kevin Cash said.

Ramirez, 24, was acquired late Tuesday from Seattle in exchange for LHP Mike Montgomery and was expected in town Wednesday night. He has started 35 games in the majors, going 7-12 with a 4.62 ERA including a dozen relief appearances, and is a more experienced option for the No. 4 slot than RHP Matt Andriese, who has yet to pitch in the big leagues.

"When you have a player who has pitched in the majors and started a number of games, you have a better sense of what he can do," baseball operations president Matt Silverman said. "We think he can give us those good innings while we work through some of the issues that we have with injuries in this first month of the season."

Ramirez is out of options, which means that when the Rays get their full staff healthy it may be tougher to fit him in, but they are willing to deal with that then.

The trade seemed to be bad news for Andriese, who was the leading internal candidate for an open spot. But Cash seemed to indicate Andriese could still make the team, perhaps in the bullpen then when the Rays need a fifth starter April 14. "There are still roles to fill and competition to play this out a little bit, but I think Matt, he's in a good spot," Cash said.

MID-LINEUP LUSTER: 1B James Loney had a big day in the Rays' 3-0 win against the Yankees, going 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Loney, who came in hitting .208, said it was one of the better days he has had during spring training.

"I felt ready," he said. "It felt like I was on the pitches pretty good. Sometimes they fall, sometimes they don't."

The hits were also falling for OF Desmond Jennings, who went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs. Jennings, who played in centerfield during his first two seasons with the Rays, played leftfield Wednesday, which will be his primary position this season.

"It's been all right. It's for the better, for the team," Jennings said about the move. "Hopefully I'll get some good results from it."

MEDICAL MATTERS: LHP Drew Smyly (shoulder tendinitis) seemed pleased with his first live batting practice session Wednesday based on his reaction and the high-fives from his teammates who watched the session at the Trop. "He started at around 80 percent effort level then kind of dialed it up by plan," Cash said. "Everybody that watched it all felt really good. I'd be curious to see how he feels (today), but everything we've heard so far is that he'll come in feeling good." Smyly will throw another on Saturday. … RHP Alex Colome (pneumonia) will throw his first live batting practice Friday. …RHP Alex Cobb (forearm tendinitis) played catch again.

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GAME ACTION: The Rays (13-12-2) struck in the second inning when Jennings had a leadoff double and Loney followed with an RBI single. … LHP Jordan Norberto gave up two hits and walked three in two innings, and RHP Grant Balfour followed with a hitless third inning. … In the sixth inning, Jennings had a leadoff single, Loney followed with a ground-rule double and OF Kevin Kiermaier reached on an error by Yankees SS Brendan Ryan, scoring Jennings and Loney as the Rays took a 3-0 lead.

MISCELLANY: Cash praised the work of clubhouse managers Chris Westmoreland and Jose Fernandez for several upgrades to the facility. … The Rays will host a lunchtime rally from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. today at Lykes Gaslight Square Park in downtown Tampa.