Yarbrough believes he can start regularly

August 21st, 2019

ST. PETERSBURG -- believes he can provide good results for the Rays on a regular basis. The left-hander is 6-0 in his past 11 outings and hasn’t given up a run in his past two starts. Yarbrough has a 0.46 ERA in August heading into his start against the Orioles on Thursday at Camden Yards.

“I just feel like I’m in a really good place right now,” Yarbrough said. “Obviously, when you have a couple of outings like that, confidence builds. To go out there when you know what you’re going to be able to do and put yourself in a good position, you get some good outcomes.”

Yarbrough will be opening a four-game series in Baltimore, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET, live on MLB.TV.

Manager Kevin Cash said Yarbrough’s success has come, in part, from being more aggressive on the mound and forcing hitters to swing in uncomfortable situations.

“He’s attacking really, really well, the cutter has really become a big weapon for him,” Cash said. “I think the changeup has actually played in his favor. He’s getting a lot of off-balanced swings from guys and a lot of not hard contact.”

Yarbrough added that the additional opportunities to start – most of his appearances this year have come following an opener -- have allowed him to develop the consistency to show what he’s capable of every fifth day.

“I wholeheartedly think this is something I can do,” Yarbrough said. “I’m really excited about where I’m at right now. This is what I know I can do.”

Rays call up big righty Slegers

Right-hander was called up and added to the 40-man roster prior to Wednesday’s game against the Mariners. Left-hander was optioned to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move after he gave up a run on two hits in two innings Tuesday.

Slegers will work out of the bullpen.

“The way the bullpen has been worked the last two days, we don’t want certain guys pitching in certain situations because that will have a lasting effect for three to four days,” Cash said. “Slegers will provide some depth. He’s started, he’s come out of the bullpen. He’s able to throw a bunch of pitches.”

At 6-foot-10, Slegers will become the tallest player in Rays history when he gets in a game. He is an inch taller than former Rays pitchers Jeff Niemann and Mark Hendrickson, who were both listed at 6-foot-9.

Injury report

• Right fielder (right oblique strain) will play for Class A Advanced Charlotte on Thursday, and Cash said that the outfielder could rejoin the team Friday and be activated for Saturday’s game against the Orioles.

• Cash said 's right wrist injury is likely something that will linger for the rest of the season, but he doesn’t expect the infielder to be shut down.

• Right-hander (right middle finger inflammation) has been cleared to resume workouts and strengthening exercises. He might resume throwing over the weekend.

• Left-hander (loose bodies in left elbow) and right-hander (right forearm strain) will not travel with the Rays for the upcoming road trip. Both players will throw side sessions in Port Charlotte, Fla., or St. Petersburg.