Jamey Wright to start for Rays

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Rays' pitching plans for today and the rest of the week were dependent on who pitched Saturday.

And since RHP Jamey Wright wasn't needed, he will start today as the Rays preferred to use what will be a combination of several relievers rather than RHP Roberto Hernandez, who they felt didn't match up well against the lefty-laden A's.

"I'm looking forward to it,'' said Wright, who last started in 2007. "No biggie. It's not like I'm going to go out there and go five, six innings or anything."

With that sorted out, manager Joe Maddon said they next will set up the rest of their rotation for after RHP Chris Archer's Monday start.

The biggest issue there is whether to have LHP Matt Moore make his return from the disabled list Tuesday, with LHP David Price pitching on regular rest Wednesday, or fill in Tuesday, potentially with Hernandez, then pitch Moore and Price, lining both up to face Boston next week.

The immediate rotation plans apparently will not include RHP Jeremy Hellickson, who was optioned to Class A Charlotte last week to get some rest.

Hellickson threw a bullpen session on Saturday and did well, Maddon said, and is expected to rejoin the Rays on Tuesday, but won't necessarily pitch yet. "We just want to get him back and get him strong and then we'll figure out the next step," Maddon said.

HAPPY TO BE HERE: C Chris Gimenez didn't have much success in a frustrating, injury-marred season at Triple-A Durham, hitting .224 in 94 games, and is eager to put that behind him today when he is added to the Rays roster.

"None of that really matters now," Gimenez said. "I ended up still getting here, I'm ecstatic to be here, excited to be part of the playoff race again."

The Rays also will add DH Luke Scott, who had been on the DL with back spasms; RHP Josh Lueke, who has been up three times previously; and DH Delmon Young, who was signed Aug. 22 and has been working back into form at Double-A Montgomery.

Gimenez was even more excited to rejoin the Rays in Oakland, near his Gilroy, Calif., hometown. And since he isn't eligible to play until today, he planned to watch Saturday's game from the stands with his parents, Paul and Pam, which he hadn't done since the 1990s.

"I could have stayed down here (in the clubhouse) and watched the game but I thought it'd be cooler to sit there with my mom and dad," he said. "It's been a really long time."

BIG-HEADED WIL: Rookie OF Wil Myers was as surprised as anyone to see his face — actually a large blown-up version — displayed prominently among thousands of Clemson football fans during ESPN's Saturday College GameDay. Myers saw a mention on Twitter and checked out the linked photo. "Honestly, I have no idea who it could be," said Myers, who is from North Carolina and considers himself a South Carolina football fan. "No clue. I thought it was kind of funny though."

RIDING THE RAILS: A large number of Rays players — yes, including Price — took the BART train Saturday from their San Francisco hotel to the stadium in Oakland, avoiding the long bus ride and traffic due to the weekend closing of the Bay Bridge. "No problem," Price said. Meanwhile, the bus ride Saturday took only about an hour, much better than the 1:45 on Friday.

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MISCELLANY: RH reliever Jesse Crain (shoulder strain) played catch again with no issues, aiming to throw off the mound by the end of the week. … Young will wear No. 15; the numbers he wore previously are taken by veterans — 26 by Crain, 35 by Wright. … Price ended up with a tough loss Friday, his third when posting a quality start (six or more innings, three or fewer earned runs); all other Rays have three total.