ST. PETERSBURG -- Now that Alex Colome has been traded to the Mariners, the question is: Who will close for the Rays?
That question was posed to Kevin Cash on Saturday and the Rays manager replied: "I think it's going to be pretty fluid."
He then joked, "Maybe we'll do a starter in there. Start the bullpen, bring a starter in to close. I'll talk to [Chris] Archer here after I'm done with this session."
Addressing the question seriously, Cash told reporters he planned to use Jose Alvarado, Chaz Roe, and even Sergio Romo on occasion.
"But I don't think we're in a position to sit there and name a closer right now," Cash said. "We've learned over many years of doing this that games are won and lost in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, and we want to be prepared to use who we feel is best equipped to get those outs right then. And then we'll figure out the ninth."
Colome led the Major Leagues in saves last season with 47.
Gomez activated, Font added
The Rays activated outfielder Carlos Gomez from the disabled list and added right-hander Wilmer Font to their 25-man roster on Saturday.
Gomez, who was out with a right groin strain, homered twice in a simulated game on Friday.
"Good [to have him back]," Cash said. "The energy he brings. The professionalism. I know Carlos didn't get off to the best start or the start that he wanted to. But he's a veteran player. ... He'll come back and he'll get going for us."
Font, who had been designated for assignment by the A's on Wednesday, was acquired Friday in exchange for Minor League right-hander Peter Bayer.
"Font is a guy that we've liked, that we've talked about for a while," Cash said. "I know his track record this season has maybe not been his best. But I think that's part of what makes this group -- the Rays organization -- special, is they can see some underlying things that you can kind of pull out of a pitcher."
To illustrate his point, Cash cited the Rays bringing in Romo last season after he'd struggled with the Dodgers.
"We acquired him, got him comfortable," Cash said. "To his credit he started pitching really well. Hopefully we'll find some similarities [with Font] where he can help us win some games."