Johnson in; Niemann out; DiFelice going?
The Rays made room for 1B/DH Dan Johnson on the 25-man roster by optioning RHP Jeff Niemann back to Triple-A Durham after Sunday's game. That's because RHP Andy Sonnanstine will move up and start in Niemann's slot on Thursday and Matt Garza is coming off the DL to start Friday.
And though nothing will be official unti Tuesday, after C Dioner Navarro plays one more game at Class A Vero on Monday night and is activated off the DL, the Rays appeared to decide on keeping Shawn Riggans as the backup catcher as veteran Mike DiFelice was seen saying goodbye to and hugging several players in the clubhouse after the game.
DiFelice likely will be designated for assignment and has to clear waivers for the Rays to send him to Triple-A Durham, which they would like to do. DiFelice likely would prefer to be claimed and end up in the majors elsewhere.
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While I am supprised to see DiFelice leaving, but I think Navarro is the catcher who needs to go. Riggans is young, and does make mistakes, but FAR LESS than Navarro. However, I am kind of supprised to see the fans saying things like, "stupid same old rays". They arnt!! Look at the pitching. Starters have improved to the 19th best E.R.A. from the 30th. The Bullpen has gone from 30th with a 6.29 E.R.A. to 7th with a 2.70. The Rays are getting better. I also find it funny how people were for the most part on here before the season saying being negative, and now they are acting like expectations were to win the World Series. I am going to stick with the Rays. I know they are on the right track.
Posted by: Michael | April 22, 2008 at 09:21 AM
seriously some of the moves this team makes are downright dumb. now we're practically serving up on a platter our veteran catcher WHO KNOWS HOW TO CALL A GAME and who can be a LEADER IN THE CLUBHOUSE in favor of a scrub in riggans and a go-nowhere in navarro. does anybody on planet earth expect navi to be a leader? does anybody see him taking command of a game, a team, a clubhouse? i sure as hell DON'T but we've sunk enough time and money in him already so why the F not, right?!?! hahaha! stupid same old rays.
Posted by: raysfan | April 21, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Warren & Agreed
Couldn't agree with you more. Riggans is not the player to help this team. Defelice is far more suited for the role that the Rays need him. I like his bat in the bottom 3rd of the lineup and he knows how to use the bat.
Posted by: Bodog | April 21, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Warren.
You are dead on. That makes no sense at all.........Riggins needs to be playing to get rid of the boneheaded things he does(I also hate how he ducks to one side or the other after every pitch with a man on base.......he doesn't frame his pitches at all!) DiFelice is a great back-up.............
Posted by: agree | April 21, 2008 at 05:52 PM
How stupid is that - getting rid of DeFelice & keeping Shawn Riggings. Navi's going to be the day-to-day catcher anyway. Shawn's obviously not up to big league stuff - he should be sent down to play every day & stop making the mental mistakes. DeFelice is WAY more appropriate for the fill-in work that Navarro's going to need. Plus - he could actually teach Navi something.
Posted by: Warren | April 21, 2008 at 04:52 PM
He'd better tahn the Johnson guy.
Posted by: Yes | April 20, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Think we could make room for Frank Thomas in the lineup somewhere, too?
Posted by: Amanda | April 20, 2008 at 07:47 PM