ST. PETERSBURG -- With Wilson Ramos on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain, the Rays needed another catcher on the roster. Triple-A Durham's Adam Moore was selected to fill that need.
To make room on the 40-man roster, outfielder Johnny Field was designated for assignment.
When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster, and 25-man roster if he was on that as well. Within seven days of the transaction (it was previously 10 days), the player must either be traded, released or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.
"He's experienced catching a lot of [the team's pitchers]," Rays manager Kevin Cash said of Moore. "He was with us in Spring Training long enough to kind of understand what we're trying to do. … Hopefully, he can kind of put that to good use."
When asked about Ramos' injury status, Cash intimated the catcher would need a fair amount of time to recover.
"I think it's fair to say, he's going to be out for a bit." Cash said.
Moore, 34, was hitting .215 for the Bulls. The veteran catchcer has played in 96 Major League games over eight seasons with the Mariners, Royals, Padres and Indians.
"It's always rewarding [to get called up to the Major Leagues], but at the same time, it's unfortunate for a leader in this clubhouse." said Moore. "[What a] year [Ramos is] having. At the end of the day, it's baseball, and it's a team game. Some guys need to come up and step in and do as much as they can. Obviously, that's a big piece of this team. I'm just going to come up here, and however much I play, I play. If I don't, I don't. ... Just come up here and try and do my best."
Cash noted that Jesus Sucre would start Friday and Saturday, and that Moore would likely start Sunday's game. Cash noted that they'll likely have to ease Sucre into everyday duty, since he has served as Ramos' backup all season. Cash added that it wouldn't be fair to have Sucre catch five consecutive games at this point.
Field made his Major League debut with the Rays this season and hit .213 with six home runs and 14 RBIs in 62 games.
"I think Johnny showed pretty well for us," Cash said. "I know the bat struggled at the end of his time with us. But he's a guy that we feel can go out there and be very serviceable. He played great defense. He got some big hits. For his sake, for our sake, I hope he stays with us. But if there's a better opportunity, we have to be understanding of it."
Minor Leaguer suspended
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Friday that five Minor League players have been suspended following their violations of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Among them was Class A Advanced Charlotte outfielder David Olmedo-Barrera, who received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone ("DHCMT"), a performance-enhancing substance.
Worth noting
• Jonny Venters (right hamstring strain) threw an inning of relief for Charlotte on Thursday, allowing a walk.

"Physically, felt good," Venters said. "Started out with six balls, which wasn't ideal. But leg felt good. Felt good to get back out there, get three outs. I'm not sure what the plan is from here. But so far, so good. Leg feels good."
Venters will throw an inning of relief for Charlotte on Saturday.
• Vidal Nuno (right hamstring strain) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday.
• Cash said he expects Jake Faria (left oblique strain) to make two more starts for Durham before returning to the team. He also suggested that initially, Faria will likely come in after an "opener" upon his return.

• Matt Duffy was a late scratch from Friday's starting lineup due to back spasms.