MINNEAPOLIS -- To bolster their depleted bullpen, the Rays looked outside their organization to acquire some pitching depth. Tampa Bay announced on Saturday that it had acquired left-hander Hoby Milner from the Phillies for cash considerations.
Milner entered Sunday's game against the Twins in the third and pitched two-thirds of an inning. He walked the leadoff batter before striking out the next two.
His addition to the Rays' 25-man roster was in correspondence to the club's move to option Chih-Wei Hu to Triple-A Durham.
"Hopefully [Milner] brings us some coverage today," manager Kevin Cash said. "He's been kind of a left-on-left guy, throws from a low slot. The bullpen is fairly taxed -- we've got a bunch of guys who are able to pitch, we just don't have a ton of length. … He can help us face some of [Minnesota's] lefties, or turn some of their switch-hitters around."
Milner made 10 appearances over two stints with the Phillies at the Major League level this season, with the most recent coming on Tuesday. The 27-year-old was taken by the Phillies in the seventh round of the 2012 MLB Draft and owned a 7.71 ERA before being designated for assignment on Tuesday.
Milner's last appearance in a Minor League game came on July 7, when he threw two innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
"We've seen him enough in Spring Training to know a little bit about him," Cash said. "The biggest concern that I have is that he hasn't thrown in a week. Hopefully he's thrown some bullpen [sessions] or played catch."
Duffy scratched from lineup
Matt Duffy was initially in the Rays' lineup, listed at third base and batting second, when it was posted Sunday morning. But he was later scratched and replaced by Daniel Robertson as the Rays continue to monitor his sore right ankle.
Duffy twisted the ankle during an at-bat late during the Rays' 19-6 win over the Twins on Saturday and eventually left the game.
"He came in today probably a little bit more sore," Cash said. "He wants to play, but it's probably in our best interest. I know we have the All-Star break coming up, so I'm not trying to push it. Maybe he gets some treatment throughout the game and he feels better that he can come in later and pinch-hit, or something."