Rays Report - Marc Lancaster

Rays: By the numbers

In the aftermath of yet another victory, a few numbers for you:

At 22-16, the Rays have their best record ever after 38 games and are six games over .500 for the first time

The Rays are now just a half-game back of the Red Sox

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Zobrist to be activated

Correcting the terminology in what I typed earlier, the Rays have activated Ben Zobrist from the 15-day DL and designated Andy Cannizaro for assignment (not optioned him to Durham).

Cannizaro had only one plate appearance in his time with the Rays, grounding out to end the Rays’ May 3…

Gomes gets a start

Yesterday’s rainout of the Yankees-Tigers game pushed Andy Pettitte’s scheduled start back to today, which in turn gave Jonny Gomes a chance to break back into the starting lineup. Gomes will DH with the veteran lefty on the hill as the Rays try to pad their 2 1/2 game lead over…

A closer look at Posey, Beckham

Those looking for some pregame reading today would be well-served checking out my esteemed colleague Scott Carter’s feature on FSU catcher Buster Posey, who could be the Rays’ choice with the first overall pick in the draft next month.

From all indications, Posey…

Glover back, Birkins down

Following the game, the Rays activated Gary Glover off the 15-day DL and optioned Kurt Birkins back to Durham.

Birkins technically has been sent back once already this season, though that ended up being just a paper transaction. Once he got healthy after a spring bout with elbow neuritis,…

Floyd returns to Rays’ lineup

Good afternoon and Happy Mother’s Day to all (especially my mom and grandma up in Georgia and my mother-in-law in South Carolina).

As has become the custom in MLB, everyone will be using pink bats today, and all will be wearing pink wristbands as well. All of the bat…

The Afterglow

An incredibly loose bunch in the Rays clubhouse today after Friday’s 2-0 victory against the Angels. A bit of talk about the three plays for the Rays that ended up on SportsCenter’s Top Plays last night (Crawford’s diving catch was second, although it took top honors on Baseball Tonight’s Web Gems).…

Floyd Activated, Haynes Designated For Assignment

Moments after Evan Longoria’s walkoff home run gave Jamie Shields a 2-0, 1-hit shutout against the Angels, the Rays activated DH Cliff Floyd from the 15-day DL and designated OF Nathan Haynes for assignment.

Floyd had right knee surgery on April 11.

Manager Joe Maddon said Floyd…

Floyd Takes BP; Might Be Back Sunday

Rays DH Cliff Floyd (15-day DL, knee surgery) was the only Tampa Bay player in the cage on the field today as the rest of the team was allowed to hit inside if they wished. Floyd said before he hit that he is ready now to come back, which led to…

Day off for Longoria, Crawford will DH

TORONTO—Some weary Rays down in the clubhouse, ready to get out of here following tonight’s game and get on home.

Some changes in the lineup on getaway night, with Evan Longoria getting his first day off since being called up and someone besides Carl Crawford starting in left field…