For Rays manager Kevin Cash, Jackie Robinson Day is meaningful and impactful. Yes, Robinson was the first African American to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball in April 1947, but Cash hopes the day, in which all MLB players and coaching staff will wear uniform No. 42 in his honor, has a deeper meaning.
“It’s a pretty good time to have [Jackie Robinson Day],” Cash said. “MLB, our players, our staff, everybody has gone through a lot of thoughts, a lot of emotions the last couple of days. When you think about Jackie Robinson, what he meant to society, not just MLB, this seems like the perfect time to recognize him, his legacy and just do better.”
Those emotions came out in a big way Thursday at Tropicana Field. The game between the Rays and the Orioles was postponed because the players turned their focus to bringing further attention to systemic racism after Sunday’s shooting of Jacob Blake by a Kenosha, Wis., police officer.
“We took the time to recognize that there are some important issues out there right now in society. That allowed us [not to play] and it was a good thing to not play the game,” Cash said. “Hopefully, that’s what we took away from it. Get back to work today in the right setting of Jackie Robinson Day, somehow continue to move forward and make better decisions.”
Asked how would Robinson react to seeing seven Major League Baseball games postponed as part of the protest for Blake, Cash said, “It’s impossible to speak on [Robinson’s] behalf. You would hope he would … respect today’s athletes and what they are trying to accomplish outside their individual sports. [What] you have seen from the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball, they all care what has taken place.”
Major League Baseball chose to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on Aug. 28 for two reasons. It’s the anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, which the Robinson Family attended, and it also is the date in '45 when Robinson and Branch Rickey met to discuss his future as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
In conjunction with the celebration, MLB announced a partnership extension with the JRF Scholarship Program, the Jackie Robinson Museum and the annual JRF ROBIE Awards. The extension is through 2023 and includes a $3.5 million commitment on behalf of MLB.
Rays injury report
• Right-hander Charlie Morton, who was placed on the 10-day injured list because of shoulder inflammation, will throw a bullpen session on Saturday or Sunday. If things go well, the Rays have a decision make. He could pitch live batting practice or be activated from the IL. Morton is with the team in Miami.
“My hope is we insert him, but we are going to let Charlie drive a lot of that,” Cash said.
Morton injured his shoulder on Aug. 9 start against the Yankees. In the third inning, Morton looked to be in discomfort after walking Aaron Hicks. It prompted Cash and head athletic trainer Joe Benge to run out to the mound to check on the right-hander. After a brief discussion, Morton handed the ball over to Cash and walked off the mound.
• Catcher Mike Zunino was scratched from Friday night's lineup against the Marlins due to left oblique tightness. Michael Perez threw out a runner and drove in a run in a 2-0 Rays victory.
Worth noting
• The Rays acquired left-hander Cody Reed from the Reds in exchange for right-hander Riley O’Brien. To make room on the 40-man roster, Tampa Bay placed outfielder Brett Phillips on the COVID-19 related injured list while he completes intake protocols.
Cash said he doesn't know when Reed is going to join the team, but the organization is excited for him.
“We like him a lot. He has a good fastball. We really like his breaking ball. He can sink it. He can four-seam it," Cash said. "He is going to help us."
• Thursday's Orioles-Rays game that was postponed will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sept. 17 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
• The Rays added No. 6 prospect Brent Honeywell to their 60-man player pool. He has reported to Port Charlotte, Fla.