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Ramirez set to make first start with Rays

Righty had rough relief outing in club debut

TORONTO -- Right-hander Erasmo Ramirez will make his first start with the Rays in Wednesday night's game against the Blue Jays.

In addition, a roster move will be made before the game as right-hander Kirby Yates was optioned to Triple-A Durham after Tuesday night's 3-2 win.

Ramirez was acquired for left-hander Mike Montgomery on March 31 in a trade with the Mariners. He has made just one appearance this season when he allowed seven earned runs in a two-inning relief stint against the Marlins on Friday night.

Rays manager Kevin Cash believes Ramirez can bounce back.

"He threw a bullpen in Miami, hopefully a little bit better routine," Cash said. "I'm not going to say it's most ideal because he's been in the bullpen kind of on call for us. Hopefully as the game went on [Tuesday] he realized he probably wasn't getting [into the game] that his mind was getting right that he was going to get the start."

The Yates move will be made to bolster the bullpen. Yates pitched two innings Tuesday, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out three. He has appeared in four games and posted a 4.15 ERA.

Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Tampa Bay Rays, Erasmo Ramirez