Rays call up top prospect Longoria from minors

[Wassit3]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Tampa Bay prospect Evan Longoria was recalled from Triple-A Durham and will make his much-anticipated major league debut Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles.

Longoria, sent back to the minors despite having an outstanding spring training, replaces third baseman Willy Aybar. The Rays placed Aybar on the 15-day disabled list Friday night after he missed his second straight game with a sore left hamstring that may sideline him up to four weeks.

"We've been decimated by injuries. It's not necessarily the ideal way that we wanted to call him up," Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.

"But we're confident in his ability to adjust at the plate, and what he brings to us defensively is something that we felt was very important to where we're going. We'll see what happens and reassess when Willy is ready to come back. We'll let things play out."

Longoria was the third pick in the June 2006 draft. In seven games at Durham this season, he hit .200 with no homers and five RBIs.

Earlier Friday, Rays left-hander Scott Kazmir threw 46 pitches during his second batting practice session. If he doesn't have a setback, he'll likely pitch in an extended spring training game Tuesday.

The 2007 AL strikeout champion is on the 15-day disabled list because of a left elbow strain. He was shut down after experiencing discomfort while warming up for an intrasquad game on Feb. 26.

"He did really well," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "His last fastball was probably mid 90's. He's chomping at the bit."

Rocco Baldelli was one of the hitters who faced Kazmir, taking batting practice for the first time since spring training. The outfielder has been sidelined since last May because of lingering hamstring problems and what doctors have told him and the Rays is mitochondrial disorder, a condition that causes extreme fatigue.

Pitcher Matt Garza, on the disabled list with nerve irritation in his right arm, will play catch for the first time Saturday.

Designated hitter Cliff Floyd underwent surgery on his right knee to repair a torn meniscus. He is expected to miss four to six weeks.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8027516?MSNHPHMA

[gRYFYN1]

The Rays really aren't going to garner any more info on him then they have, truthfully he should be starting already instead of the Rays playing a Aybar. But, free agency being what it is if they can push his arbitration back a year they will.

[HoustonGM]

i don't know which option to vote for. I think they should've started the season with him as their third basemen and let him play.

[Wassit3]

i don't know which option to vote for. I think they should've started the season with him as their third basemen and let him play.

that would have told the story one way or another for sure, beside 400 to 500 MLB at bats would probably helped him mature faster...

[koolzach1]

I agree Houston.

Though, with the Rays not having the money to pay their young players, I guess to them having a player for an extra year is more important than winning

[Wassit3]

I agree Houston.

Though, with the Rays not having the money to pay their young players, I guess to them having a player for an extra year is more important than winning

whats the point of keeping them an extra year if not to win with them inmho?

[AndrewOsborn]

I think he should just flat out be their starter 3B.

[metsguy234]

AAAAAH!!!!!

I dropped Longoria from my fantasy team after I originally heard he was going to start in the minors....


I'm so stupid...

[JustinM]

What a team to start him out against. I couldn't vote for option number 1 because you said "real MLBer"...

[dickay]

I'd rather see Eva Longoria at bat wearing a short skirt like in League of their own. Now that would be entertainment.

[CatKnight]

15 days isn't going to tell them anything they don't already know. Either keep him in the bigs or leave him in Durham.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

15 days isn't going to tell them anything they don't already know. Either keep him in the bigs or leave him in Durham.

Well they wanted to leave him in Durham to save a year's eligibilty of arbitration but circumstances changed that - ie Aybar's injury & Guzman being just Guzman;

Their alternative would have been moving Aki back to 3B & playing rookie Johnson at 2B--- which would have been pointless as Iwamura was already "learning" how to handle 2B & would have lost a month's experience.Also they felt Hinske (the only intern 3B) was simply back up material (it has been 4 years since he handle the hot corner on a permanent basis)

[koolzach1]

Yeah, I don't see this as a great move, but at least any experience you can get in MLB is positive, I reckon.