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Rays always willing to give role players a shot

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays are set to use their expanded 40-man roster to their advantage, likely adding two more players on Wednesday.

Catcher Stephen Vogt and right-handed reliever Dane De La Rosa are expected to be Tampa Bay's newest additions. Both players will arrive from Triple-A Durham and briefly spent time with the big league club earlier this season.

De La Rosa appeared in one inning for Tampa Bay, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks in a loss to Boston on April 14. Vogt, meanwhile, didn't fare much better, playing in 10 games for the Rays and going hitless in 17 at bats.

Despite both players struggling in their brief time in the Majors, Rays manager Joe Maddon believes each can find a way to contribute. He compared the situation to that of Dan Johnson, who ended up delivering clutch hits in his stints with the Rays.

"I don't know how we're going to use him; there's not that many opportunities, but he's done this in the past, so let's bring him along," Maddon said of his past thought process regarding Johnson. "If he's not here, you can't use him. I know that."

With five players having already been called up, Maddon did acknowledge it may be hard for some players to find time to take batting practice as the clubhouse fills up, adding that hitting in the cages would have to do.