Rays place Kazmir, Percival on DL; Price likely to be called up

The Rays will be without two frontline pitchers for at least two weeks after putting Scott Kazmir and Troy Percival on the 15-day disabled list, and team officials said Percival's departure could become permanent.

The team said that Percival has shoulder tendinitis. Kazmir has a right quadriceps strain he says was caused by problems with his pitching mechanics.

Percival, 39, has gone home to clear his mind and ponder his future, Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said, adding that Percival is "extremely frustrated right now."

Manager Joe Maddon's relationship with the veteran closer goes back to their years together with the California Angels.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he chooses not to come back," Maddon said.

"There's only so much you can do when you get to that age, and he's tried everything possible to put himself back together to be, not just functional, but a very big contributor to us. He's just not feeling that he can be that right now."

The Rays recalled infielder Reid Brignac and reliever Dale Thayer to fill the open roster spots. Another starting pitcher still could be called up later to fill Kazmir's spot in the rotation, which isn't due to pitch until Monday.

That pitcher is likely to be David Price, who helped the Rays reach the World Series as a rookie last season. Price is 1-4 with a 3.93 ERA in eight starts for AAA Durham and has been working under strict pitch counts all season.

The Rays probably will send a reliever -- most likely Thayer -- back to the minors following Sunday's game to clear a roster spot. Thayer leads the Durham bullpen with six saves and a 0.93 ERA over 16 appearances.

Brignac, 23, was hitting .291 for Durham with three home runs, 15 RBI, 13 doubles, 24 runs scored and two stolen bases.

Kazmir, 25, is 4-4 with a 7.69 ERA (45.2-IP, 39-ER) in nine starts this season. He had a 1-3 record with an 11.35 ERA in his last five starts. His 19.2 pitches per inning pitched are the most in the majors.

Kazmir is the Rays' all-time leader with 51 victories, 764.1 innings pitched, 815 strikeouts, 132 starts and a 3.79 ERA.

Percival is 0-1 this year with a team-high six saves and a 6.35 ERA over 14 appearances. He gave up two earned runs and registered just one out Thursday, when the Rays rallied from a 5-3 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Oakland 6-5.

His 358 career saves rank eighth on the all-time list and fourth among active pitchers.

So, who's closing for the Rays now?

"The whole bullpen. We're just going to piece it together," Maddon said. "No specifics, we'll just see who's available at that moment."