HOUSTON -- Steve Geltz returned to the Rays Sunday morning to give the team's depleted bullpen a boost for a day. After pitching an inning in Tampa Bay's 10-4 win over Houston, the right-hander was optioned back to Triple-A Durham following the game.
Geltz had been recalled from Triple-A Durham and in a corresponding move, outfielder Mikie Mahtook had been optioned to Durham prior to the game. Afterward, the team announced that Alex Cobb would be activated on Monday and that Geltz was optioned back to Durham.
Geltz will likely get recalled by the Rays once the team is allowed to expand its roster in September. He pitched the eighth inning on Sunday, allowing a run on three hits while striking out two.
Geltz began the season with the Rays and went 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA, allowing 10 home runs in 20 innings over 21 appearances. He is 0-2 with a 3.31 ERA with three saves in 29 appearances with the Bulls.
Geltz feels as though his time at Durham allowed him to get back on track.
"There's a lot of ups and downs in this game," Geltz said. "But the biggest part for me was going back down and getting that confidence and that attitude back where I can compete and perform.
"I've heard guys says there's a huge difference, and I've heard guys say there's not a huge difference in Triple-A and the big leagues. I don't really know the answer to that. I just know that hitters are hitters, and when I'm out there being timid and not being aggressive, no matter where you're at, you're going to fall behind and you're going to get hurt."