Excited Mahtook gets callup to The Show

MIAMI -- Mikie Mahtook went up to The Show for the first time on Friday when the 25-year-old outfielder joined the Rays prior to their game against the Marlins.

"You think about that day," Mahtook, a Louisiana native, said. "You kind of envision that day. ... It's one of those common daydreams of every baseball player. You think how you're going to react to it. And then when you get the news you don't really know. I hope everybody can experience that moment."

The Rays officially placed John Jaso (right wrist contusion) on the disabled list on Friday, paving the way for Mahtook to be recalled from Triple-A Durham.

"We're excited for Mikie," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "He was in Spring Training, showed a lot of versatility where he can play in the outfield and he's going to help us. Might get a start here or there, but he'll definitely be a factor off the bench for us."

Mahtook was in the lineup for Triple-A Durham Thursday night and learned about the news after the game.

"I played the full game," Mahtook said. "I finished, I got into the locker room, trying to get out of there quick because my family had just flown into town. They pulled me into the office. They said they wanted to talk to me. Told myself not to [read too much into it].

"They brought me in there and pretty much told me to be ready for tomorrow because you're not going to be here, you're going to be in Miami. It was a pretty fun way to figure it out. I was lucky to have my family."

Mahtook's mother, Mary Ann, and identical twin sisters, Christina and Catherine, were in Durham.

Video: TB@MIA: Mahtook's mother talks about his promotion

"I walked out [of the clubhouse], and they had no idea," Mahtook said. "They're like 'What's wrong?' and I just kind of spilled it. It was a little emotional, but it was awesome."

Mahtook and his family celebrated by going out to dinner at a local restaurant.

"Everybody was on their phones, trying to get new flights," Mahtook said. "They actually beat me here. Their flight was at 11, mine was 12:30. It happened pretty quick, but I don't think they were complaining too much about it."

Mahtook smiled about his sisters being in Miami.

"They're 23," Mahtook said. "Not too much younger than me. They're pretty happy to be in Miami, I can tell you that much. ... I'm kind of worried about them taking over Miami."

Mahtook came to the Rays out of LSU in the first round (31st overall) of the 2011 First Year Player Draft.

He put together his best professional season in 2014 when he hit .292 with 12 home runs and 68 RBIs for Durham.