The Rays announced today that Dioner Navarro has been suspended two games by Major League Baseball for bumping an umpire. The suspension is set to begin tonight.
Jose Lobaton has been called up from Durham to be the backup catcher during Navi’s absence. To make room, Mike Ekstrom has been optioned to Durham.
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So is Ekstrom automatically back when Navi returns on Thursday?
Topkin seems to think this will result in Benoit being called up.
No. In fact I fully expect to see Benoit called up on Thursday.
The interesting scenario is if the Rays decide to DL Navi on Thursday, keep Lobaton (JoJo Lobaso lives!) and call up Benoit. I wonder if the Rays could make the DL stint retroactive to Saturday which was first game Navi missed. If so, he’d only be out another 10 days instead of 15.
I should also not that Ekstrom can’t be recalled for 10 days unless somebody goes on the DL
Hey Jose, the coffee is ready. Go grab a cup and help yourself.
Well, Navi was having issue w/ a bad knee. It wouldn’t surprise me if Benoit called up soon.
I don’t know if this showed up on TV or if anyone mentioned it, but Saturday against the Blue Jays we had seats about 4 rows behind the Rays bullpen and Sean Rodriguez was down there from about the 5th inning on. He had the catcher’s gear on and even caught Grant Balfour while he warmed up. I wonder what all would have the happen for Joe Maddon to actually use him in a game?
all hell to break loose.
Kinda weird to run out of catchers on the 40-man. For game-calling skills they’ll have to look to Alvin Colina. Then there’s Joe Dillon who’s been trying to sell himself as a catcher since the spring.
Navi… our favorite whipping boy (besides Burrell)…. shows he has a little CLASS sticking up for his pitcher(s)….stuff not seen much from the coaching staff….Udaman Navi…take a vacation…go to the beach..!
“To make room, Mike Ekstrom has been optioned to Durham.”
This should have been the headline. wO0t! Benoit can’t be far behind.