OF Fernando Perez called up; C John Jaso likely, too

Making the first of several moves related to the Sept. 1 roster expansion, the Rays have called up OF Fernando Perez from Triple-A and optioned reliever Juan Salas to Double-A. Executive VP Andrew Friedman said they also plan to call up C John Jaso before Tuesday's game, choosing him to serve as the third catcher over veteran Mike DiFelice, who was granted his release.

Since Perez, who has never played in the majors, was recalled before tonight's midnight deadline, he would be eligible for the postseason roster, adding speed and defense.

The Rays also recalled injured RHP Jae-Kuk Ryu and placed him on the major-league DL, which allows them additional flexibility to add another player to the roster, just as they have the option to replace pitcher Chad Orvella.

Friedman said the moves were made so "if we're fortunate enough to make the playoffs to expand our applicant pool.''

Friedman said additional callups likely won't be made until after Durham is done in the playoffs; the Bulls open best-of-five play Wednesday.

Comments

[9equals8.com]

You mean "IF" as well as how Beckett pitches on Friday...

[Boston Dan]

What I will be buying for my kids this Christmas is Red Sox World Champions 2008 gear.
Its is amazing that the Rays are coming up here next week and it is actually an extremely hard to get ticket. These are the games we used to give away to the paperboy.
Big key for us is how Beckett pitches Friday.
Boston Dan

[9equals8.com]

It's OK, Boston Dan. We'll accept you as long as it puts the attendance critics at bay. So, come on out the the game and wear Rays blue. Nearly all Rays fans are reformed "other team" fans anyway (except for the kids).

[Boston Dan]

Did I mention that I am a front-runnin' tool who will probably ask for Rays gear for Christmas?

[Boston Dan]

This really hurts.
"GO YANKS!!"
See what madness thine cowbells has wrought?
Boston Dan

[Goobers who also like Bubba Trammel]

Bring Jonny up NOW!
Bolts should bring back Ciccone too!

[Rays News]

Barring injury Gomes has seen the last of the Rays dugout, we got here with the bunch we have and will stay with this group apparently. The schedule is September is just brutal

[joeknowsbaseball]

"Plus he doesn't smoke, dip or chew."

You can add that: He doesn't slider, curve or change up...uh, that leaves fast ball...uh, sooooo tough to book Gomes...Keep him on the bat study..."maple or ash"...check..."tar, no tar"...check..."cork, no cork"...good thing he doesn't dip or chew!

Can you imagine making all those checkmarks with a big wadd in your mouth and havin' to spit an all?

I'm sure his inspiration is much needed this week in Durham...let's see if he can help the Bulls win!

[Michael]

DiFelice is such a loss for our entire organization.
He has been here since the start, bouncing around the AAA and big leagues and a big reason why all our young pitching has gotten so good. His veteran presence and his helping personality will be sorely missed.

[9equals8.com]

Jim - Gross and Ruggianno are both on the roster and will stay there (they are also post-season eligible). Since the roster expanded as of today, the Rays do not need to send anyone down to activate Percy and bring Jaso and Salas back. The team can now carry as many as 40 ppl on the active roster until the end of the regular season. The move to send Salas down was not a knock on him, just a move to create more flexibility in the post-season.

[Tone]

Thanks for an easy going fun to watch sweep of the O's. Please do the same to the Yanks, put them down hard and rough. Shove it up there and never pull it out.

[Terri]

I think Gomes should be brought up..and I have a comfort level with Percy being back - great couple of games this weekend. It was nice to be in the crowd. The Rays are 18-1 with crowds of over 30,000 this year.

[Razzlegator]

Bring Gomes back just before the Baltimore series. He can get suspended with no damage to the Rays, and Jonny gets to do what he does best.

[stpetefrank]

please bring Gomes back
signed
All the American League East Pitchers.

[Herb]

Perez is VERY fast as well and can be uses as a pinch runner,if neeed.

[Dave]

Gomes deserves to be on the roster.

A couple of timely homers would just fine.

Plus he doesn't smoke, dip or chew.

[joeknowsbaseball]

"Bill, we don't care how he actually performs on the field."

Right...because he won't be! He won't even see the dugout. Maybe an admin position...I know, the broken bat study!

[kat]

Perez is a much better player than Gomes. Look at what Gomes has done since he got to Durham. He's just as mediocre.

[Gomes Fans]

Bill, we don't care how he actually performs on the field.

[Bill]

Gomes is batting .252 with 2 homers and 32 k's in 103 at bats.....hardly major league caliber.

[Bill]

Chemistry? All Gomes does is cry about playing time.

[9equals8.com]

Looks like a series of good moves for the Rays. Adding a speedster could be very helpful if/when the Rays need a pinch runner (recall the couple of times Navi has been thrown out at the plate? He can't make it from second to home on a base hit without a terrible throw). Now, with 3 catchers, expect to see the PR at 6+ innings if/when Navi gets on base in close games. Also, the team maintains flexibility to add Price (or other pitching depth) if/when needed. These guys are pretty smart and these moves all make a lot of sense to me. Wouldn't mind seeing Gomes on the team as he definitely adds to the clubhouse chemistry. Only problem is that the Rays can't count on his bat to produce...

[Einhard]

Because the Rays called up Ryu who is on the DL, they can replace him with someone else on the post-season roster if they want to. Therefore, Price could be activated for the playoffs if the Rays want to do it. It is the F. Rodriguez gambit.

[James]

"Since Perez, who has never played in the majors, was recalled before tonight's midnight deadline, he would be eligible for the postseason roster, adding speed and defense."

Now I'm confused. Isn't David Price in the same boat as Perez? So why didn't the Rays call him up if only to make him eligble for the postseason roster?

[Jim]

I dunno I think I have seen enough of Jonny"i'm-a-born-whiffer" Gomer. This close to the playoffs isn't the time to be thinking of payback,it's time to be thinking about the playoffs.

[Dave]

We play Baltimore later this month. Need to get Gomes back on the bench so when we get some payback for Bartlett we have our muscle ready to go.

[Herb]

I sure hope Hammel is NOT on the post season roster!!

[V.T. Eric Layton]

I agree with Brian... BRING BACK GOMES! He's a power hitter, a team player, and more importantly... he has the backs of his teammates!

[Brian]

Bring back Gomes!

[Philip]

Jorge Velandia back with the Rays.

[Jim]

What hapens to Gross and Ruggiano.

[Philip]

Is Jason Hammel going to be on the postseason roster.

[Brian]

Good move by the Rays. Perez is very fast and will make a good addition to the outfield, providing some depth.