Shoulder healthy, Crain activated off disabled list

ST. PETERSBURG -- Fully recovered from the right shoulder strain that kept him sidelined since he was acquired from the White Sox on July 29, Rays right-hander Jesse Crain was activated from the 60-day disabled listed on Monday.

In a corresponding move, the Rays designated right-hander J.D. Martin for assignment.

Crain, an All-Star selection for the 0.74 ERA he compiled with Chicago, was relieved the rehab process is over.

"It really has been a long time coming," Crain said. "I'm real excited to be able to go out there and see where I'm at, jump back into things. There was a time where I had a setback and I wasn't sure [if I would pitch again this season]. My arm wasn't responding as I hoped or thought it would. … [Head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield] never let me get my feelings down, and it worked out."

Crain joins a bullpen that used five members to hold the Orioles to just three hits Sunday. Overall, Tampa Bay leads the American League with an opponents' batting average of .240.

"To have that solid group of guys out there takes some pressure off of me," Crain said. "If I struggle a little bit, I'll have a guy who can come in and get the job done. Hopefully I can jump right in and join the success they've had."