NEW YORK -- After being acquired from the Giants for a player to be named or cash considerations, Erik Kratz became the sixth catcher to appear on the Rays’ 25-man roster this season. Kratz, 38, replaces Anthony Bemboom, who sprained his left knee against the Marlins and is on the injured list. He could be out for four to six weeks.

Kratz, who joins his 14th organization, was designated for assignment by the Giants on Monday, and he learned he was going to the Rays while at his son’s Little League game in Virginia. He will be the backup behind Travis d'Arnaud.

Kratz said he must acclimate himself to a pitching staff that leads the Major Leagues in ERA.

“It’s me learning them, so they can feel comfortable being who they are because they are so successful,” Kratz said. “… At this stage of my career, I enjoy winning. Sometimes, in the Minor Leagues, there is the development side of baseball, but I just enjoy winning. There is nothing getting in the way of winning here. It’s exciting to be a part of it.”

Kratz also has experience dealing with openers -- relievers who are used to start games. In fact, he was on the Brewers’ 2018 postseason roster when manager Craig Counsell used relievers to start games. It gave the team flexibility to be able to match up with the opposing lineup a little better, inserting a reliever to get three to six outs right at the start of the game.

In Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers, Counsell had left-hander Wade Miley face just one batter to start the game and then come back to start Game 6.

“[Counsell applied] different names to it. But it’s nine innings,” Kratz said. “It’s about winning. They are not throwing the opener out there for any other reason other than to give us the best chance to win, which is great.”

Kratz had a strong NL Division Series against the Rockies last year, going 5-for-8 with two RBIs while guiding the Brewers to the NLCS.

“Getting the opportunity to make it that far is a chance of a lifetime,” Kratz said. “For me, I was able to experience the postseason a couple of times -- being a part of it and being able to be in the situations, helping the team win. It’s so much fun. [The Brewers] really helped my family to really enjoy the situation, to enjoy the moment of each game and each series.”