Zunino returns to lineup, back behind the dish
ST. PETERSBURG -- On Friday, the Rays activated catcher Mike Zunino from the 10-day injured list and designated Erik Kratz for assignment in order to make room on the 25-man roster.
Getting Zunino back is a big bonus for a Rays team that relies on its pitching. Zunino, who has three home runs and 17 RBIs this season, also gives Tampa Bay an improved hitter out of the catcher spot.
The Rays have been without their top two catchers, Zunino and Michael Perez, since May 9, which forced Tampa Bay to trade for both Travis d'Arnaud and Kratz in their absence. With Zunino back in the lineup, the Rays should have more stability and familiarity behind the plate.
“He worked hard to get back and in fairly quick fashion,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “When Michael Perez and Mike Zunino went down, that was a major concern and probably as much of a concern as any injuries that I’ve been a part of here.”
Cash said the current plan is for Zunino to play Friday, have Saturday off and play again on Sunday before heading into Monday’s off-day. Once the team returns to action on Tuesday, Zunino is likely to play on back-to-back days in order to get him back on a normal routine.
“I’m feeling good,” Zunino, who went 0-for-4 in Friday's loss to the Rays, said before the game. “It’s never great to miss time, but I feel good. Body feels healthy, so I’m ready to go and help this team any way I can.”
Pham, Garcia out of lineup Friday
While the Rays got Zunino back in the lineup on Friday, Tampa Bay was without two of its top right-handed hitters in Avisail Garcia and Tommy Pham against Twins starter Jose Berrios.
Pham, who exited Thursday’s game with a left leg cramp, said the plan is for him to not play Friday and perhaps Saturday, but that he would be available to come off the bench to pinch-hit if needed.
“Tommy acts like he wants to play today, but he was not going to play today,” Cash said. “We’ll see how he comes in. Hopefully we avoided significant time by just a little cramp, but when he comes out, it probably makes the most sense to follow up the next day with an off-day.”
Garcia was scratched from the original lineup with left hamstring soreness, but Cash said it’s just a day off for the right-hander, and that he would also be available off the bench for a pinch-hit situation.
“Hamstrings are barking a little bit,” Cash said. “We tried to get him a DH day, but I think listening to him talk to [trainer] Joe Binge, I think it made the most sense to try and stay away from him [on Friday].”
Diaz’s hand still not 100 percent
Yandy Díaz went through batting practice on the field for the second consecutive day, but he’s still feeling some discomfort on the left hand that has sidelined him since May 19. Diaz has been able to continue to do conditioning and infield work, but is still feeling pain while in the batter’s box.
“The pain is just not totally getting out of there,” Cash said. “We’ll wait and see after [Friday’s] workout and then if he has another one on [Saturday].”
Diaz will likely have to play a couple of rehab games in Class-A Charlotte whenever he feels good enough to get into game action.