Rays' Stuart Sternberg is still serious

Stuart Sternberg has been a baseball fan a lot longer than he has been an owner, so he understands the visceral reaction some Rays supporters had in the wake of the Scott Kazmir trade.

In addressing the issue Wednesday, though, Sternberg essentially said he hopes he and his front office staff have earned the benefit of the doubt.

"I would like to think people know me and know us better, that we're not rolling up any carpets and that we have at least enough of a track record that we have a sense of what we're doing," Sternberg said. "I think any real fan who looked at it could clearly see that it's not a salary dump. As a casual fan you want more, more, more - 'Why didn't you get this guy? Why didn't you sign this guy?' We live within our means. It's a reallocation of resources."

He pointed out more than once that the Rays have added payroll to acquire Gregg Zaun and Russ Springer - moves that wouldn't have been made if the team wasn't serious about winning.

Among the other topics he touched on before Wednesday's game against the Red Sox was the paid crowd of 17,692 for the previous evening's series opener. Sternberg largely avoided the bait on the attendance issue, allowing only that the small crowd was "unexpected" and saying he believes his team is doing everything it can to entice fans.

He also didn't have much interest in addressing the potential of a new ballpark on the other side of the bay in Tampa, noting that the team has made a "tremendous investment" in Tropicana Field and will continue to do so.

"We would hope and expect things are going to work out here," he said.

Davis on the way: The latest jewel of the Rays' farm system will make his big-league debut Sunday afternoon.

The Rays officially recalled RHP Wade Davis from Durham on Wednesday and said he'll join the team today and start the Tigers series finale against Edwin Jackson. Davis went 10-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 28 starts for the Bulls this season.

Slotting Davis in for the homestand finale allows the Rays to start Andy Sonnanstine in Monday's doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. Sonnanstine started the Rays' first game at the new stadium in May and worked into the eighth inning.

Manager Joe Maddon said the Rays will evaluate Davis and Sonnanstine after their starts and decide who will get the ball the next time through. Either way, Maddon is excited to see what the 24-year-old Davis can do at this level and he believes Rays fans will appreciate the pitcher's approach.

"I think they're going to like his look," Maddon said. "He's physical. I think he's got a good glare about him. He's an all-business kind of a guy. Really good stuff - I mean, fastball's going to be up in the low- to mid-90s, and he's going to show you a really good hook (curveball) and a good change-up."

Odds and ends: Senior adviser Don Zimmer had surgery Wednesday to decompress a nerve in his lower back and was said to be doing well. He is expected to be in the hospital for a few days. ... RHP Jason Isringhausen visited the clubhouse with his right arm still in a cast after Tommy John surgery. He plans to pitch next year.