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Rays' Chris Archer named AL player of week

 
Chris Archer earns AL player of the week honors after winning both starts, allowing one run and striking out 26 against no walks in 15 innings.
Chris Archer earns AL player of the week honors after winning both starts, allowing one run and striking out 26 against no walks in 15 innings.
Published June 9, 2015

ST. PETERSBURG — After Chris Archer struck out a Rays record-tying 15 Angels on Tuesday, Los Angeles C Chris Iannetta said the right-hander deserved more notoriety.

After Archer was equally dazzling Sunday in Seattle, he got some, named Monday as the American League player of the week.

And Archer — now 7-4 with a 1.84 ERA that ranks third in the majors and an MLB-leading 108 strikeouts — will get more.

Expect increased chatter over the next few weeks about his chances to be named to the AL All-Star team and even to be considered, along with Houston LHP Dallas Keuchel and Oakland RHP Sonny Gray, for the start. He also will be considered a candidate for the AL Cy Young Award.

For the week, Archer was 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA and 26 strikeouts — and no walks — in 15 innings. Added to his May 27 start vs. Seattle, Archer became the first pitcher in modern major-league history to make three consecutive starts with 10 or more strikeouts and no walks. He has faced 82 batters since his last walk, to the A's Marcus Semien in the sixth inning on May 22.

Archer, 26, is the first Rays pitcher to win the AL weekly award since Alex Cobb in September 2013 and gets a Game Time brand watch.

MEDICAL MATTERS: The team will know more today about the severity of RHP Jake Odorizzi's oblique injury, and how much time he will miss, after an MRI exam and an exam by Dr. Koco Eaton. A disabled list stint seems likely. A full strain can lead to an absence of up to six weeks. … 3B Evan Longoria is eyeing a return to the lineup tonight after sitting out Saturday and Sunday — save for his first career pinch-running appearance — due to a sore left wrist. … RHP Brad Boxberger said he was "100 percent" certain he would be available this weekend after sitting out the Seattle series due to triceps tightness. … LHP Matt Moore (Tommy John surgery) makes his second rehab start tonight for advanced Class A Charlotte in Dunedin. Game time is 6:30 p.m. … SS Hak-Ju Lee (hand laceration) was activated off the DL at Triple-A Durham, though RHP Jose Dominguez (right shoulder fatigue) went back on. … Top SS prospect Daniel Robertson, who was hitting .272 at Double-A Montgomery, will have surgery today for a broken hamate bone in his left hand but should return this season.

PITCHING IN: Once the Rays know Odorizzi's status, they can set up their rotation for the rest of the week, with Karns starting tonight and RHP Erasmo Ramirez on Wednesday. Odorizzi was to start Thursday. The team could fill that slot or bring RHP Alex Colome back on regular rest to pitch Thursday and RHP Chris Archer on Friday, and plug someone in for Saturday. LHP Enny Romero could start if not used in relief tonight or Wednesday, or the team could call up RHP Matt Andriese or, if Odorizzi goes on the DL, call back impressive rookie RHP Andrew Bellatti, who thus wouldn't have to wait the requisite 10 days.

NICK AT FIRST: Cash said Saturday's Nick Franklin at first base experiment went well enough that the Rays are likely to give him more time there. "I thought he handled himself well," Cash said. "There was one situation with a bunt play where he was behind the runner and we had to remind him to get in front. Those little nuances of first will probably come fairly quickly."

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With James Loney out, the team also has used Jake Elmore, Logan Forsythe and starting C Rene Rivera at first.

ERNESTO UPDATE: Cash said the team is pleased that veteran RHP Ernesto Frieri accepted an assignment to Triple-A Durham after being designated for assignment last week and clearing waivers.

"Hopefully he can get down to Durham, get some regular opportunities and appearances and kind of get himself back to the pitcher he thinks he is and that we feel he is and at some point come and help us," Cash said.

Frieri might be used over multiple innings to increase his versatility.

MISCELLANY: No Rays, no surprise, were among the leaders in the third AL All-Star voting update. … Six Stone Crabs were named to the advanced Class A Florida State League All-Star Game: SS Willy Adames, 1B Jake Bauers, RHP Buddy Borden, RHP Jacob Faria, OF Marty Gantt, RHP Brad Schreiber. … Former Rays OF Matt Joyce, the Tampa native traded to the Angels for RHP Kevin Jepsen, is looking forward to returning to the Trop tonight. So is former Rays LHP Cesar Ramos.