Injury bug bites the Rays and the roster moves continue
It was bad news coming out of Port Charlotte yesterday as the top prospect in the Rays organization and one of the top prospects in all of MLB Brent Honeywell tore his UCL and will have Tommy John surgery. Although not expected to make the team out of spring training, Honewell was expected to be called up at some point this season and contribute to the Rays rotation. Now all that is on hold until some time in 2019.
With the Honeywell injury that opens the door for another of the Rays pitching prospects to step up and contribute At some point this season. Jose DeLeon, Yonny Chirinos, Ryan Yarborough, and Jose Mujica
—In other Rays news the Corey Dickerson era officially ended as Dickerson was traded to the Pirates in exchange for reliever Daniel Hudson and minor league outfielder Tristan Gray.
Hudson 30 years old has pitched for Arizona and Milwaukee. Last season Hunter compiled a 2-7 record with a 4.38 ERA. Hudson will get a good shot at securing a spot in the bullpen during spring training.
Gray is a Class A prospect who was drafted in the 13th round last year.
—The Rays also signed veteran outfielder Carlos Gomez to a one year incentive laden contact. Gomez an 11 year veteran has spent time with Texas, Milwaukee, Houston, Minnesota, and the New York Mets. Gomez is a career .256 hitter with 133 home runs. last season Gomez hit .251 with 17 HR’s and 51 RBI’s for Milwaukee. Gomez will add depth to the OF with loss of Steven Souza in the Arizona trade.
The 32 year old Gomez has had a history of being hot tempered and letting his emotions get the best of him at times Throughout his career. Gomez most likely will play LF and RF giving the occasional day off to Mallex Smith and Denard Span.
—The Rays opened spring training with a pair of wins yesterday, The Rays beat the Pirates 6-3 in Port Charlotte, while a split squad beat the Orioles in Sarasota 6-3. The Rays will face the Red Sox in Fort Myers this afternoon.
Here is a much to early look at the Rays starters for 2018.
The Rays will go with a four man rotation to start the season.
Sp Chris Archer
SP Jacob Faria
SP Blake Snell
SP Nathan Eovaldi
The bullpen has 6/8 spots locked down with the additions of Anthony Banda and Daniel Hudson this week.
Alex Colome
Matt Andriese
Sergio Romo
Dan Jennings
Daniel Hudson
Anthoiny Banda
Andrew Kittredge
Chaz Roe
Here is who I think the position starters will be on March 29th.
C Wilson Ramos
1B CJ Cron
2B Brad Miller
SS Adeiny Hechavarria
3B Matt Duffy
LF Mallex Smith
CF Kevin Keirmaier
RF Denard Span
DH Carlos Gomez
The Bench. Not real string right now, could see some movement by opening day
C Jesus Sucre
INF Daniel Robertson
INF Joey Wendle
Utility Micah Johnson
