De La Rosa's long wait finally ends

RHP Dane De La Rosa was well aware of the need for fresh arms in the Rays bullpen, so he wasn't totally surprised when Durham manager Charlie Montoyo called late Monday night with the news he was being sent up to the big club.

Still, it was a heck of a phone call.

"I've been waiting a long time for this," De La Rosa said before Tuesday's game with the Yankees. "I had to go through a lot of trials and tribulations, but it was worth it. I've worked my butt off for the last six years to get back to affiliate ball and now to be in the big leagues is a pretty big deal."

De La Rosa was recalled to replace LHP Alex Torres, who was sent back to Durham after throwing 44 pitches during the ninth inning of Monday's 5-4 loss to the Yankees. The move had nothing to do with Torres allowing the winning run and everything to do with the need for someone who can pitch.

De La Rosa, 28, was 4-3 with three saves and a 3.86 ERA in 35 games this season for the Bulls.

A 2002 draft choice by the Yankees, De La Rosa has played for six teams in three independent leagues and even quit after the 2005 season to try selling real estate. It didn't go well, and he returned to baseball.

He signed with the Rays as a minor league free agent in 2009 and was added to the 40-man roster last fall after going 9-3 with four saves and a 1.97 ERA in 73 innings at Montgomery.

"I played independent ball. I know exactly what that feels like," manager Joe Maddon said. "You go to independent ball because you love to play baseball and you want another chance. That's why you do it. So, guys who do go that route and are successful, I have a lot of respect for that."

That De La Rosa was already on the 40-man roster made calling him up a smoother transaction. Also, Maddon added, it's an opportunity to see what some of the minor-leaguers can do at the big-league level.

"We called down there and they spoke glowingly of his performance recently," Maddon said. "I felt he was the right guy for this."

Praise for Torres

Maddon was pleased with the performance by Torres during the ninth inning Monday, despite the fact he allowed a hit and walked three (one intentionally) and walked home the winning run.

Maddon knew he was asking a lot out of a starting pitcher making his major-league debut and facing Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano during the ninth inning of a tie game.

"When you look at the micro and macro of the whole thing, if you look at the macro moment right there, that really speaks well for our future," Maddon said. "Kids like that, coming up under that kind of duress, performing that way, I see that as a huge positive. We may have lost the game (Monday) night, but we may have won the war in the long run."

According to the Rays, Torres became the first pitcher since 1955 to walk in the winning run while making his major-league debut.

Injury updates

RHP Wade Davis (strained right forearm) impressed Monday in his bullpen session and is expected to rejoin the team this weekend in Kansas City, perhaps as early as Friday.

C John Jaso (strained oblique) began a throwing program Tuesday. He will remain behind when the Rays begin their road trip Friday, but he is expected to join the team while it is on the road and he could be activated before the Rays return.

RF Matt Joyce (bruised right knee) is expected to return to the lineup tonight.

C Jose Lobaton (left knee sprain) said an MRI did not reveal further damage to his MCL.

Noteworthy

Maddon invited John Reeves, the former Robinson High and Florida standout quarterback, as a guest for Tuesday's game. … Maddon said Bucs coach Raheem Morris watched the final four innings of Sunday's game in Maddon's office since Maddon had been tossed from the game in the 11t{+h} inning. … SS Reid Brignac will visit patients from 10:30 a.m. to noon today at the Children's Medical Center at Tampa General Hospital. RHP Jeff Niemann will sign autographs from 11 a.m. to noon today at the Wal-Mart at 201 34th St. N in St. Pete. … LHP Matt Moore, the Rays' top pitching prospect, was promoted to Durham. … C Robinson Chirinos joins Steve Cox, Esteban Yan, Jonny Gomes, Jason Hammel and Brandon Guyer to get hits in their first big-league at-bat.

Roger Mooney