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Rays' second-round pick Betts needs Tommy John surgery

 
The Rays say they didn’t know the severity of Chris Betts’ elbow injury until a team physical a few weeks ago. He’s expected to return to the field by June.
The Rays say they didn’t know the severity of Chris Betts’ elbow injury until a team physical a few weeks ago. He’s expected to return to the field by June.
Published July 19, 2015

TORONTO — The Rays' signing of second-round draft pick Chris Betts for an above-slot bonus of $1.45 million just before Friday's deadline came with a twist: Tommy John elbow surgery that will delay the catcher's pro debut until next summer.

The Rays knew the severity of the injury before negotiating the final deal, executive VP Chaim Bloom said Saturday, but not when they selected the slugging lefty swinger from Wilson High in Long Beach, Calif.

At the time, Betts and the Rays said he had a forearm strain that was not considered serious and would be rehabbed. But a team physical a few weeks ago showed the injury was more serious, which changed the dynamics of the talks. Betts also had a college offer from Tennessee.

"It was somewhat of a surprise in that it wasn't something we knew about when we drafted him, but anytime there is something with the forearm, it's always a possibility," Bloom said.

"We had an idea of what we were looking at financially. Of course once we get into the medical issue, it obviously complicates things for both sides."

The Rays expect Betts to be hitting by spring training and start playing by June, the rehab shorter than it is for pitchers.

"Obviously, there's no sure things with this, especially for a catcher whose arm is important, but we feel really good about the prognosis," Bloom said. "It obviously changes the timetable a little bit, but we feel exactly the same as we did about the ability, and we're confident he's going to come through this and be just fine."

On his Twitter account, Betts posted that he was "signed and ready to go, couldn't be happier!!!"

The Rays on Friday also signed No. 13 pick RHP Nicholas Padilla, No. 14 RHP Tyler Brashears and No. 22 RHP Justin Marsden. Overall, they signed 32 of their 40 picks, including their top 15 and 25 of the first 26.

BOXED IN: All-Star RHP Brad Boxberger has gotten most of the save opportunities, 25 of the first 45, but manager Kevin Cash maintains the decision is based on matchups and availability.

And with all his relievers available Saturday, Cash used Boxberger to pitch the eighth, facing the heavily right-handed top of the Toronto order as well as lefty Justin Smoak, then brought in LHP Jake McGee to close it out for his fourth save in five chances.

"(Today) it could be right back the other way," Cash said.

ALEX THE GREAT: Cash raved again about the impressively aggressive Friday outing by RHP Alex Colome, whom they bumped from the rotation in hopes of turning him into a multi-inning power reliever.

"Him coming in and pitching with that conviction, I think that's the message we've tried to get him to buy into," Cash said. "That it's a little bit different mind-set as a starter and reliever, when you come in there in those opportunities to let it go, and he did. It looked like he threw every pitch with the intent to get a swing, to get a strike."

TV TIME: Sun Sports says Rays games have made it the top-rated prime-time cable network, and No. 2 overall, in the Tampa Bay market, and that the 4.07 game ratings are up 7 percent over last year and in the top half of MLB teams.

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MISCELLANY: OF Steven Souza Jr. (lacerated pinky) went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk as the DH for advanced Class A Charlotte in the first of two planned rehab games before a Tuesday return. … All-Star RHP Chris Archer starts today, saying the 1⅓-inning, 20-pitching outing Tuesday in Cincinnati didn't impact his prep and won't impact his performance. … SS Tim Beckham had an eventful first start since being called up to help replace injured Asdrubal Cabrera, with a double and a walk, getting picked off and having the called reversed, scoring a run, then getting thrown out at the plate. … Even with an infield single, OF Joey Butler is just 5-for-his-last-45.