Tampa Bay Rays Making Some Moves

The Rays late this afternoon placed both Scott Kazmir and Troy Percival on the 15 Day DL. Kazmir was placed on the DL because of a right quadriceps strain and Percival because of right shoulder tendinitis.

I am a little skeptical of how severe Kazmir’s quadriceps injury really is. He might have a little pain in that area, but I think this is more of Kazmir getting some time get things back in order. Kazmir has been terrible this season.

Kazmir is 4-4 with a 7.69 ERA and have given up a ridiculous 60 hits in 45.2 IP. Kazmir said he hurt his leg during the series at Boston a couple of weeks ago.

Since that start in Boston, Kazmir has given up 18 hits and 14 runs in 7.2 IP. Those stats suggest that there was definitely something wrong with Kazmir. However, it doesn’t explain Kazmir’s 5.40 ERA in April.

As for Percival, it looks like his career might be over. Percival is 38 and there is only so much an arm can take. The Rays are a smart organization so they had to be prepared for the inevitable Percival injury.

Last year when Percival went down, the Rays used the dreaded “bullpen by committee.” Since it worked out so well last year, the Rays will go with the same approach this year. I would imagine though Dan Wheeler will get the majority of the save opportunities.

To take their place, the Rays have called up SS Reid Brignac and RHP Dale Thayer. Brignac is currently No. 78 on Keith Law’s Top 100 Prospects in Baseball list. Thayer had a 0.93 ERA with six saves for Triple A Durham.

Thayer might get a chance to close at the major league level, but he will be making his major league debut at 28 so he is not considered a top prospect.

To replace Kazmir in the rotation, all indications are the Rays will call up phenom David Price on Monday. Price is 1-4 with a 3.93 ERA for Triple A Durham this year. Perhaps Price can give the Rays the spark this team so desperately needs.

In order to make room for Price on Monday, the Rays will have to make another roster move.