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Rays juggle roster after another pitcher injured

 
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Matt Andriese (35) throwing in the first inning during the Spring Training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla. on Monday, March 30, 2015. WILL VRAGOVIC  |  TIMES
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Matt Andriese (35) throwing in the first inning during the Spring Training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla. on Monday, March 30, 2015. WILL VRAGOVIC | TIMES
Published June 12, 2015

ST. PETERSBURG — An injury to yet another pitcher — rookie RHP Andrew Bellatti — forced the Rays into a series of roster moves after Thursday's game, including the unexpected departure of backup C Bobby Wilson.

The Rays already needed a starter for tonight's game due to RHP Jake Odorizzi's oblique strain, and with Bellatti now sidelined due to shoulder inflammation, they opted to call up three pitchers: RHP Matt Andriese will start tonight, and LHPs C.J. Riefenhauser and Enny Romero will join the bullpen. (Romero was just sent down Tuesday but can be recalled because Bellatti went on the DL.)

To do so, they sent down RHP Preston Guilmet and then needed another spot on the roster, which led to the decision to designate Wilson, the Seminole High product, for assignment.

"Given the shape of where our pitching staff is at, his roster spot has kind of come into play where we need the pitching,'' manager Kevin Cash said. As a result, the Rays tonight will go with just one catcher, Rene Rivera, and have reserve INF Jake Elmore serve as the backup. Expect C Curt Casali to be called up from Triple A on Saturday.

Wilson hit only .145 but had earned praise from the pitchers and coaches for his work behind the plate. "It (stinks) any way you look at it, but I've been around long enough that I understand it's part of the game,'' Wilson said. "You kind of wish it didn't happen to you but it did.''

Still, Wilson praised the Rays for giving him the opportunity and said he will wait to see what happens as they have 10 days to trade or pass him through waivers.

Bellatti had been impressive in two stints with the Rays, twice picking up a win in relief. He last worked Friday in Seattle, throwing three innings after Odorizzi left, and would have been a candidate to start tonight had the shoulder inflammation not been an issue.

Cash said they are "very hopeful it's minor" and expect Bellatti to be back in about two weeks.

Andriese had two stints with the Rays this season, going 0-1, 4.79 with two saves in seven games, three starts.

MEDICAL MATTERS: LHP Drew Smyly, on the DL since early May with a torn labrum, was set to begin sock tossing Thursday, the club announced. … The Rays confirmed LHP Matt Moore (Tommy John surgery) will make his third rehab start Monday for Single-A Charlotte against Lakeland. First pitch is at 7. … OF/DH John Jaso said the left wrist he bruised on opening day finally is progressing well, and he expects to be playing in rehab games — if not back with the Rays — within the next month.

SPARTAN AMENITIES: Roughly a dozen members of the University of Tampa's Division II national championship baseball team took batting practice at Tropicana Field, then were recognized before the game. C Nick Tindall (10 HRs, 37 RBIs) threw a ceremonial first pitch. The Spartans, winners of seven national crowns, needed permission from the NCAA to get a complimentary meal at the ball park, team spokesman Tom Kolbe said.

PAULA'S PITCH: Pop diva-turned-TV talent judge Paula Abdul threw a ceremonial first pitch, dancing and prancing to within 15 feet of the plate before lobbing an apparent strike. Abdul has been the goodwill ambassador for the Prostate Cancer Foundation the last four years.

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CLOSING THE DEAL: Fourth-round Rays draft pick Brandon Koch (pronounced COACH), 21, a left-handed closer from Dallas Baptist University, made a Trop appearance after becoming the club's first draftee to sign. A Louisville Slugger All-American who posted a 1.26 ERA and 14 saves this past season, Koch will report to the Rays' Single-A short-season affiliate in Hudson Valley, N.Y.