CLEVELAND -- In the wake of Rays left-handed starter Blake Snell being optioned to Triple-A Durham, the Rays are in need of a starting pitcher to take his spot in the rotation.
That starter was revealed before Monday's game against the Indians, as Rays manager Kevin Cash announced that right-hander Erasmo Ramirez will fill the open rotation spot.
"It is going to be Erasmo," Cash said. "We are still talking about which day that will be."
Ramirez will replace a struggling Snell, who went 0-4 with a 4.71 ERA in eight starts this season. In those eight outings, he allowed 22 earned runs on 43 hits along with 25 walks in 42 innings.
In 12 games this season, Ramirez has gone 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA. In 24 2/3 innings, the right-hander has held opponents to a batting average of .188 and has allowed eight runs on 16 hits and four walks. Eleven of his 12 appearances have come out of the bullpen, as his only start this season came on April 20 in place of the injured Jake Odorizzi. In that start against the Tigers, he allowed one run on two hits with five strikeouts in five innings to pick up the win.
"He is a guy that has done it before," Cash said of Ramirez. "He has shown the ability to be really good at it. I think just with his track record, the versatility, we know he is going to get built up really quick and his arm is really resilient. It made the most sense."
Stanek's Major League debut
• After being called up from Triple-A in place of Snell, rookie right-hander Ryne Stanek was thrown right into the fire in the Rays' 11-2 win on Sunday over the Red Sox. Stanek was brought in with one out in the eighth inning, where he retired Chris Young before he allowed a single to Christian Vazquez. The right-hander was then replaced by Alex Colome, who struck out Jackie Bradley Jr. to end the inning
Although he only threw nine pitches in his Major League debut, Stanek was very appreciative of the opportunity.
"It [was] awesome," Stanek said of being recalled and making his debut. "It is a dream come true. It is something that I have worked for my entire life, basically. It is very exciting to be able to be here, be with the guys and to be able to play."