Rays Colored Glasses
Fansided

Tampa Bay Rays expected to call up young arm soon

By David Hill

Mar 13, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jacob Faria (34) throws the ball in the fourth inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jacob Faria (34) throws the ball in the fourth inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Tampa Bay Rays starting rotation has struggled in recent days. Look for them to get an infusion of youth sometime this week.

The biggest takeaway from the disaster that was this weekend’s series with the Seattle Mariners may have been the struggles of the rotation. The Tampa Bay Rays starters looked as though they were tired, not finishing their pitches and getting hammered all weekend. Considering that the Rays were on a nice run heading into the weekend, it was a rather disheartening series defeat.

Those struggles from the rotation did not go unnoticed by the Rays as well. Manager Kevin Cash stated that the rotation looked “gassed,” leading to expectations that something would need to be done. Look for that to happen at some point this week, when the Rays are expected to bring up either Jose De Leon or Jacob Faria for a start on Wednesday.

The timing is important for that outing. As Marc Topkin reported, Chris Archer wants to stay on his regular schedule, which gives him the start tonight. However, as Cash wants to give Jake Odorizzi, Alex Cobb, and Erasmo Ramirez an extra day of rest, handing the ball to one of those two young options makes sense on Wednesday.

More from Rays Colored Glasses

Ramirez, in particular, looks like he needs a break. After coming in for the save in the Rays 15 inning marathon on May 28th, he just has not looked right. In those seven innings, Ramirez has allowed eight runs on 13 hits and two walks. Opponents have had a .419/.441/.645 batting line against him in that time, further illustrating those struggles.

Of those options, Faria may make the most sense. He has posted a 6-1 record with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP. In his 58.2 innings, Faria has struck out 84 batters while issuing just 20 walks. De Leon, meanwhile, has struggled since coming off the disabled list, with a 10.12 ERA and a 2.625 WHiP in his 2.2 innings in Tampa Bay. Likewise, in his nine innings in Durham, De Leon has allowed six runs on ten hits and three walks. He just does not seem ready.

Next: Rays that could be on the block

The Tampa Bay Rays should get an infusion of youth in the coming days. Considering the way their rotation looked against the Mariners, it is desperately needed.

Home/Rays News