Goodbye to Glover

The Rays reinstated RHP Gary Glover from the disabled list on Monday and then designated him for assignment.

Glover had been sidelined since before the All-Star break with a left calf strain, as the Rays used his roster spot to activate Troy Percival. But with Glover recovered, the Rays had no room, opting to instead keep RHP Jason Hammel.

Glover has struggled much of the season, with a 1-2 record, 5.82 ERA and .300 opponents batting average. In 34 innings, he allowed 61 baserunners. He is making $1.075-million.

Because Glover is out of options, the Rays can't send him directly to the majors. The Rays now have 10 days to trade, release or pass him through waivers, which would allows them to send him to Triple-A.


The Jays also changed their rotation, planning to start rookie righthander Scott Richmond on Wednesday instead of lefty John Parrish, which has to be considered a good thing for the Rays since they have struggled so much against lefties.

As for tonight's game here in Toronto, the Rays have Cliff Floyd back from his brief paternity leave and what, for now, passes as their regular lineup:

RAYS
Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Crawford, lf
Longoria, 3b
Pena, 1b
Floyd, dh
Navarro, c
Hinske, rf
Bartlett, ss
Shields, p

JAYS
Inglett, 2b
Scutaro, ss
Rios, cf
Overbay, 1b
Barajas, c
Stairs, dh
Rolen, 3b
Lind, lf
Wilkerson, rf
Burnett, p

Comments

[mrincredible]

Most of these comments are a joke because the Rays are in first place for the first time on a date not starting with April. Why is the bullpen even in this conversation? Oh, yeah - Glover. For the entire month of July, the bats have been in the deep freeze. The bullpen isn't the issue. We're averaging less than two runs a game this month. The Rays are not cheap - they are following a plan that has come together up until this point. So far, the Rays have proved that you don't need free agents or a $200 million payroll to win. Oh, and while the bats have been filled with pudding, the Rays are STILL in first place. The way some of you talk, the season is over. If we go out and get a right handed bat to play right field, what will that do to wake up the rest of the line-up? Do you bring up Ruggiano? Baldelli? The Red Sox aren't going to send Ramirez to the division leader, so forget that. I think that they need to start playing small ball, start bunting, stealing bases, scratching out hits and producing runs, like those irritating St. Louis Cardinals teams used to do. Find a way to get runs across the plate, no matter what it takes.

[Kincaid]

Uh the guy on the mound tonight is in quite a groove Aj Burnett
Easier tomorrow against someone named Roy Hallyday

Sonny should just zip it and try to keep it under 5 runs.

[rocky]

The bats are slumping but the sky is not falling. The baseball season is long and all teams go through slumps. Prior to tonights game the Rays and Angels had scored the same number of runs and allowed almost the same. The bats will come around and our pitching will continue to keep us in games. Agree we do need a kick and Price and Ruggiano would be welcomed additions. Hopefully Glover is the first of a few moves to wake the team up. Have faith, it is July 28 and we are in first in the AL East. Amazing...

[dick]

Upton cannot hit and now we see he really cannot play CF like a pro. Sure, he makes some spectacular plays and nonchalants some to make it look easy but as Magrane pointed out, he took two bad routes to fly balls, the first was a single that led to a triple and the 2nd was probably catchable. You can tell Shields was pissed and pissed at Upton. I have a feeling that if the present trend continues, Maddon may well lose his grip on harmony with this ballclub. You had Kazmir saying that Maddons tirade was "absolutely necessary" and then Sonnanstine saying that he felt he had to throw a shutout in order to win. Where the hell is Henderson with this pathetic offense. Come to think of it, Steve Henderson was no offensive whiz when he was active. Then again, Upton and the offensive juggernaut can see the scoreboard and note that both the Yanks and Red Sox are also losing but guess what--the JAYS are moving up accordingly!!!

[Edgar]

I call the firing of hitting coach Steve Henderson b/c this team is beyond pathetic. That is a shame that James Shields was on the verge to throw a complete game but it did not happen. What a wasted outing. Somebody has to take responsibilty for the pitiful offense. Steve Henderson is the guy that has to go. I am running out of patience with this crap. First, fire Steve Henderson, next to go is Jonny Gomes, Al Reyes, and Trever Miller. Gary Glover's move is the first step in the right direction. It should be a zero tolerance policy based on performance. This is getting out of hand.

[Slappy]

It seems the Rays' best offense is the Yankees' and Red Sox' opponents. Thankfully, Ballamore and Anaheim are helping us out. Thanks, we'll send ya some fresh grouper as soon as we can find it. It's probably somewhere lunching with the Rays' bats.

[Scott]

Come on Rays, score some freakin runs! Both the Red Sox & Yankees are losing right now.

Also, make a move for Jason Bay before the deadline. The offense needs a kick in the pants.

[g8ralum]

SOMEONE please tell Crawford he's swinging a BASEBALL BAT, not a 5-iron! How many more times must we see him whiff or meekly ground out swinging at ankle high at best balls? With the offensive maladies, why isn't anyone talking about Steve Henderson's work? What is different this year v last? Reyes is used up and Percival is a disaster waiting to happen. Get Fuentes and Aaron Cook, send Sonny to long relief.

[RaysFan81]

Dave wouldn't mind seeing Salas or Thayer but Dohman has an ERA over 5 in AAA and when he was up in the bigs for 12 games his ERA was over 6.

As far as the rotation I would prefer to see Sonny stay instead of Jackson. Sonny's ERA is higher by only less than half a run but has more Ks, less than half as many walks and for whatever it's worth still leads the team in wins. I think he's been blown up in a few losses which skews the ERA. As a # 4 or # 5 starter your job is to give the team a chance to win. You're not expected to dominate. I believe he gives us a better chance to win than Jackson mostly because Jackson only successfully throws 2 pitches.

[Goober McGoob]

8:31 - ANY season short of a championship is meaningless and that's simply the way life is. Second place is just the first loser.

We're better then we've been the last 10 years. People should be happy, not WHINING.

This season is a success no matter what the standings are at the end.

[Goober McGoob]

Ah, Shields gives up the 2-run bomb trying to pitch the perfect game because the OFFENSE can't do squat! I don't care who's on the mound for the opponent, we specialize in stranding runners and otherwise failing to score.

[Razzlegator]

There's a right handed bat in Boston that's available. Any of you GM's interested?
Why can't you just enjoy what's happened so far? Unwad your panties and relax a little. It's a lot more fun that way.

[Dave]

The Rays have their season ticket push and what a better way to drum up sales by MAKING A TRADE THAT WILL HELP THIS CLUB!!!!. Also, send Upton to Durham so Montoya can teach BJ how to hustle again.

The Rays are keeping Hammel because I'm sure he is trade bait as of now. Glover will probably get picked up by New York and come back and beat the Rays in September. Glover has been hurt all year so it's too bad he couldn't recover. Reyes - he's broke. He needs released and bring Dohmann, Salas or Thayer up. I would keep Jackson in the starting rotation - just get him a Sports Psychologist and get his head voodooed.

[Tone]

Agree w/most here, this team is not going anywhere but down unless we address the Bullpen(Troy, Hammel, Reyes, Miller) and also take care of the offense(righty bat for right field). But we are not going to do anything since the owners and GM are fine with finishing 3rd(or 4th/last at this rate). The offense has real problems which is not going away, watch us lose this series and the ownwers do nuthin', Percival is total sh*t but Madden is hellbent to defend him. Loyalty that kills our playoff chances.

[RaysFan81]

I'm a huge fan but still a realist. We're not going to go to the playoffs with the current roster, period. Ortiz is back for the Sox and we've shown we can't win in Boston. New York is hot and just made a trade for two guys that were rumored to be heading here to help us. Where are all the people from 3 weeks ago saying that we don't have to make a deal. I haven't seen that posting recently. Might be a cliche but if you're not getting better, you're getting worse. Our opponents are getting better by improving their rosters. We have until 4 p.m. Thursday to get serious.

I can't stand to see Reyes on the mound. He hasn't looked good most of the season. The only exception was a 7-10 day period after his first return from the DL. Miller has been so inconsistent recently. Hammel is a just a guy to eat innings in blowouts. Price is a beast in the minors (8-0 with 2.01 ERA, 68 Ks, 19 BB). Wade Davis appears to be close to ready also (11-6, 3.65 ERA, 93Ks, 48 BB). Juan Salas, while pitching 36 relief inning is 3-3 with a 2.00 ERA, 41 Ks and 8 BB. If we're not going to trade I'd rather see these guys get tested in the bigs.

[Matt]

CAN you E-mail Andrew F and show him whats being reported on MLBtraderumors.com?? The Braves almost just got Jason Bay for nothing!!! Lets give them Reid, Niemann and Mason and someone else and get him. Then, CUT Floyd who is worthless and bring Rocco up to fill in as DH.

[John]

Agree about Hammel but Reyes and Miller have got to go also. That being said, if the DRO doesn't do something to address the need for offense (Right handed bat) I'm going to go insane. I understand the need to protect the future and a small market team has keep its talent in-house blah blah blah. But they are in position to challenge for a pennant. This opportunity may not come around again given their division. Even the Florida Marlins in the past have made trades and took on salary to make a playoff push. Sorry for the rant.

[Lori]

Seriously...Hammel is wasted space in the pen. Send Sonny or Jackson to the Pen for long relief, and bring up one of our young studs from Durham.

[Alex]

Ditto....We can do much better than Hammel.

[J]

DFA Hammel too while your at it. Salas, Thayer, Neimann and Price are all better.