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Rays Will Be Selective With September Call-Ups

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By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 30, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays won't take full advantage Monday when clubs can expand their rosters from 25 to 40 players for the final month of the regular season.

In a pennant race, less is more.

"You don't want to bring people up just to check them out right now," Manager Joe Maddon said. "I like a more limited clubhouse this time of year, specifically when you're in a playoff hunt, so we'll bring guys up based on our needs."

Some consideration will be given to the fact that Triple-A Durham has clinched the International League's South Division championship and will be playing in the postseason.

Maddon indicated the call-ups could come in waves, with the first coming Monday and another after Durham's season ends.

Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said the team's needs take precedence.

"Guys you feel like are ready and can actually come up and contribute, you call up," he said. "Guys you don't necessarily feel are ready, whereas in years past we may have brought them up to get some exposure to the major leagues, now we wouldn't do that because we don't want to have a lot of extra bodies that aren't here to help us win games."

DEPLETED LINEUP: The Rays continue to play at less than full strength.

All-Star C Dioner Navarro was given a third consecutive night off to rest his sore hamstrings, and SS Jason Bartlett got a night of rest. Both were available off the bench.

Navarro left Tuesday night's game against Toronto in the sixth inning with cramping in both hamstrings, and he has been undergoing rigorous treatment, including deep massage.

He speculated that dehydration might have caused the cramping before taking batting practice Friday, and he said his legs feel better. Maddon indicated that Navarro will return to the lineup today.

Bartlett went on the 15-day disabled list July 3 with a sprained knee, but he said Friday the knee is fine. Maddon said he's cognizant of the knee problem and wanted to rest Bartlett before the Rays face back-to-back starting left-handers the next two days.

Closer Troy Percival (knee), 3B Evan Longoria (wrist) and LF Carl Crawford (finger) remain on the disabled list. Percival (knee) is eligible to come off today and is almost ready to pitch, Maddon said. Longoria could return next week from a wrist fracture.

LONGORIA UPDATE: Longoria made about 70 throws - none underhand or sidearm - and did some swinging with a light bat Friday

"I'm not putting a date on anything," Longoria said of his return. "It could be as early as next week; it could be a couple of weeks. It might feel good when I show up today, and we'll go from there."

RAYS BIT: The Rays announced that Durham LHP Kurt Birkins has been released.

Tony Fabrizio

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