Rained on Rays-Royals, they play twice on Saturday – Tampa Bay Times

KANSAS CITY — The Rays got an extra day on their All-Star break.

Friday’s game against the Royals was postponed due to heavy rain, high winds and the threat of hail and was rescheduled as the first game of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.

Tyler Glasnow will pitch the opener for the Rays, which begins at 2:10 a.m. Tampa Bay time. For the nightcap, scheduled for 7:10 a.m., Cooper Criswell, who joins the roster as the 27th man, will either start or provide bulk innings depending on bullpen usage in the first game. The Royals will call up Alec March and Cole Ragans, a left-hander, as the 27th man.

The double-header will add further confusion as the Rays now have ten games in nine days after the break. Plans are still in the final stages, but tend to push the rest of their starters back one day.

Under that plan, Zach Eflin would face the Royals on Sunday, with Shane McClanahan’s return from the injury list now being delayed until Monday’s series opener in Texas. Rookie Taj Bradley would work Tuesday while the Rays are undecided on Wednesday. Then it would be Yonny Chirinos’ turn, but he doesn’t hit well and a bullpen day could be an option.

Glasnow had to abandon his previous start on July 8 in the sixth inning due to hand and leg cramps and saw a vascular specialist for a check-up at the break. Manager Kevin Cash said he doesn’t expect any problems on Saturday.

“I expect he’ll be perfectly fine,” Cash said. “I’m glad he’s pitching. I know he’s trying to figure out what issues he’s had and move on from there.”

The Rays do not yet have a firm date for the return of all-star first baseman Yandy Diaz, who was placed on the paternity list on Friday after giving birth to his son on Wednesday. It’s possible he could miss the entire series in Kansas City.

They’re hot on their heels

After seven straight losses and a win in last Sunday’s pre-break final, the Rays go into play just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Orioles in Saturday’s American League East race and have just an 8 1/2 game lead over them last place Red Sox and Yankees.

“I think everyone enjoyed the All-Star break. Everyone was able to relax, go home and recharge a little,” said second baseman Brandon Lowe. “But to get off to a good start it’s kind of a necessity at this point. You look around the league, especially in the east, and every single team you see there is knocking on the door.

“So just go out there and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to perform like we’ve done so far. Just know that if we go out and play our game, we’re going to do what we did, stay with us.”

And now to Pete, about the weather

Rays relieve pitcher Pete Fairbanks on July 6 with his teammates in the dugout.

[ IVY CEBALLO | Times ]

The Rays players were not aware of the severity of the impending storm until they arrived at Kauffman Stadium for pregame work and substitute Pete Fairbanks — born in Milwaukee and raised in Missouri — briefed them.

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“No one knew until we got here and Pete told us all about the Midwest weather that he knows so much about,” Lowe said. “Pete let us know it might not be looking good. And then we heard what might be in store and thought, “Oh, maybe we’ll get an extra day on our break.”

“But everyone came anyway. Everyone got dressed. Everyone is in the weight room. Pitchers got out early (on the field). The batsmen are doing their job now. The game is cancelled, but there is still work to be done in the yard for one more day.”

various

The Rays traded Ben Gamel to the Padres for cash. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]

Outfielder Ben Gamel, who averaged .276 in 59 games for Triple-A Durham with eight home runs, 31 RBIs and an OPS of .865, was traded to the Padres for money reasons. … Reliever Andrew Kittredge, who is rehabilitating after Tommy John’s surgery in June 2022, is scheduled for his final rehab stint in the Florida Complex League on Saturday before joining Durham. … Miami-area prep shortstop Adrian Santana, the No. 31 draft pick, was signed for $2,002,950, about $600,000 below slot value, according to mlb.com.

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