Isringhausen Makes Roster, Goes On DL; Kennedy To Durham; Trades Brewing
Adam Kennedy, Jason Isringhausen, Justin Ruggiano, Matt Joyce April 1st. 2009, 12:29pmWe are much closer to the opening day roster…
Marc Topkin is reporting that Jason Isringhausen will be added to the roster, but will begin the season on the DL. Izzy says he will only need a few weeks in extended spring training, which should buy the Rays a little more time to find room on the 25-man roster.
“It won’t be a couple months – I wouldn’t think so unless there is some kind of setback,” [Isringhausen] said. “I’m thinking a couple, few weeks maybe. You see guys coming off surgeries, arm surgeries, you’ve got to be able to go back to back days numerous times. I just didn’t think my arm strength was ready for that. I think this is the right decision for everybody.”
Meanwhile, we have also learned that Adam Kennedy has been reassigned to minor league camp and will join the Durham roster. This means the final spot will go to either Matt Joyce or Justin Ruggiano with Topkin feeling Ruggiano has the edge with all the lefties the Rays face in the first couple of weeks.
Finally, Topkin says the decision on the final spot in the rotation could come tonight, but that a trade or trades appear to be in the works that will affect that decision.
It sounds like the Rays have some kind of deal, or a number, brewing and if they make the right trade then everything would click into place.
A week ago, we would have thought a trade was a longshot. But with all the chatter, we now would be surprised if the Rays don’t strike a deal in the next day or two.
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HA, blows my prediction for the 25 man roster right out of the water 30 minutes after it posted.
So Kennedy has accepted his AAA assignment and is not currently on the 40-man, huh? That is surprising. I haven’t been watching splits, but Joyce looked awful good to me live. If he makes the squad, does someone have to go?
No, Joyce making the team would mean no change for anyone else currently. They have a spot open.
I had heard this in a less succinct way before, but reading it today in an SI article just about made me sick/laugh til I cried…
In regard to the Yankees spending v. the Rays:
[The Yankees spent] $795.9 million on six free agents over the past two years — almost exactly twice as much money on six players as the Rays have paid every player ever to play for them in the 11-year history of the franchise.
Did you catch that? Twice as much money for 6 guys as the Rays have paid every single player in franchise history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!