Rays Promote Matt Joyce From Durham; Dale Thayer Sent Down

by Tommy Rancel on May 30, 2009 7:46 PM EDT

R.J. said he was ready and apparently the Rays feel the same way. After today's 5-2 victory, the Rays recalled outfielder Matt Joyce from Triple-A Durham. He will take the spot of folktale legend Dale Thayer. Thayer went 0-0 with a 5.06 ERA/3.71 FIP in 5.1 innings spanning over three games. He recorded a save in his first appearance. After a long time in the minor leagues we saw a lot of good from Thayer including a nice fastball to go with his slider. If anything, this stint proved he can get major league hitters out and he should be back up if an opening presents itself in the bullpen. However, let's turn our attention to Joyce.

Joyce was hitting .315/.408/.530 with five home runs, 15 doubles and 25 RBI for the Durham Bulls. In 401 career plate appearances at the Triple-A level, Joyce has hit .293/.380/.540 with 18 home runs and 28 doubles. It seems that the Rays agree that there is nothing left for him to prove at that level and it's time for him to start bringing that production to the big leagues. With Ben Zobrist manning either middle infield position these days, there is an opening in the lineup for Joyce. Gabe Gross continues to be good at being average, but he isn't exactly a player who should block Joyce. The Rays also have an opening at DH with Pat Burrell's return uncertain meaning the Gabe of the day still could contribute from that spot.

Like R.J. said, Joyce is going to strike out, but he's also going to slug, play above average defense and take his walks. I guess for Matt Joyce, the time is NOW!

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Just saw the tweet come across announcing that the Rays have called up OF Matt Joyce and sent down relief pitcher Dale Thayer.

Tweet Comment 59 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

good game by Dillon but til PTB returns, go with this please

1. Upton CF
2. Crawford LF
3. Longoria 3B
4. Pena 1B
5. Aybar 2B
6. Zobrist SS (please hurry back, Barty)
7. Joyce RF
8. Gross DH (a lot of OF’s, gross is the best option til Pat comes back)
9. Navarro C

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 7:51 PM EDT reply actions

I think there's a good chance Joyce will make a couple starts in CF to allow BJ to regroup.

Percival saw Dr. Koko Eaton's last name and mistook it for his prescribed treatment.

by Lurch's Lobbyists on May 30, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

that wasnt a pretty sight

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed, but I can envision that

Or Gross in CF and Joyce in RF. Either way, this relegates Kapler to the bench where he deserves to be.

Percival saw Dr. Koko Eaton's last name and mistook it for his prescribed treatment.

by Lurch's Lobbyists on May 30, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Doubt either takes much PT away from B.J.

Joyce in RF and the Gabes can fight over DH AB’s until Burrell gets back.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on May 30, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

oh and in like 10 days or hopefully less

1. B.J Upton CF
2. Carl Crawford LF
3. Evan Longoria 3B
4. Carlos Pena 1B
5. Pat Burrell DH
6. Jason Bartlett SS
7. Willy Aybar 2B
8. Matt Joyce vs R, Ben Zobrist vs L RF
9. Dioner Navarro

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

That is a delectable lineup if everyone is performing

Percival saw Dr. Koko Eaton's last name and mistook it for his prescribed treatment.

by Lurch's Lobbyists on May 30, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

So does this mean Kapler is getting released

by Zach Attack on May 30, 2009 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

wont know for a bit

PTB comes back -- Dillion down
Barty comes back - Brignac down or Kapler cut?

I say cut Kapler, too many OF’s

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Doubt it

The reason we have him is his supposed ability to hit lefties, and Joyce doesn’t help that much. Theoretically, the guy to replace Kapler is Zobrist, and Joyce really replaces Gross.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on May 30, 2009 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Let him play!!!

Thnx

by Doug09 on May 30, 2009 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

I have zero doubt about Price

but do you guys think this means Joyce is here to stay?

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

Probably

As RJ posted, he has nothing left to prove in AAA.

Percival saw Dr. Koko Eaton's last name and mistook it for his prescribed treatment.

by Lurch's Lobbyists on May 30, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

So, Durham needs a centerfielder.

And Montgomery has one tearing the ball up.

Any chance Deezy moves up?

by R.J. Anderson on May 30, 2009 8:32 PM EDT reply actions

Hopefully

Speed on base machine is really hitting the ball hard, hes batting 3rd now

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely move him up

Percival saw Dr. Koko Eaton's last name and mistook it for his prescribed treatment.

by Lurch's Lobbyists on May 30, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

DJ proved himself in AA

The faster he gets acclimated to AAA ball, the better? Anyone else agree?

by Doug09 on May 30, 2009 8:36 PM EDT reply actions

I wonder if anyone disagrees

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I think this is where I'm supposed to say,

“You’d be surprised”

by Doug09 on May 30, 2009 8:52 PM EDT reply actions

Remember 10 days ago, i said

promote Joyce and Jennings

Wave good bye to Kapler, another woeful day v a LHP

by Raymondo on May 30, 2009 9:06 PM EDT reply actions

I don't see Jennings being in the majors before September.

Swav or Die
For the lulz

by SRQman on May 30, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

i don't see him at all this season

promote to AAA

by Raymondo on May 30, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

September would be earliest.

I’m expecting next year towards the end.

Swav or Die
For the lulz

by SRQman on May 30, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

No, but if I say I remember... will it make your day complete?

If so, then yes I do.

by RalphieTheRay on May 30, 2009 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Jennings has a good chance at AAA

but Kapler and Jennings are not effected by each other

Joyce was hitting lefties in AAA, Kapler sucked at everything including hitting lefties. When we get PTB and Barty back, I see Kapler cut.

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Play Thayer off, Keyboard Cat.

by R.J. Anderson on May 30, 2009 9:06 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Keyboard Cat = the shit

Swav or Die
For the lulz

by SRQman on May 30, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

yep

Joyce, the Armwood High product who was on the opening day roster, will get the chance to play, either in rightfield or at DH, manager Joe Maddon said. Joyce is expected to be in the lineup Sunday.

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Why not?

by Doug09 on May 30, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions

While we promote DJ to AAA, Hughes should join him

he has no reason to face AA pitchers, no competition for him down there

And if we lose ANOTHER OF, I would like to see him in the majors

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

INF****

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

He's riding a nice hot streak, but he's a 25 year old in AA

And he’s never hit this well before. Some guys are late bloomers, but don’t get your hopes too high.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on May 31, 2009 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Matt Joyce

The time is NOW…oh wait, it is? oh shit, that’s fucking awesome!

2009 Rays Baseball: God Damn It, Guys

by JMB on May 30, 2009 9:19 PM EDT reply actions

Can we DFA upton now?

Slide CC over to center, and we are one trade away from purifying this team of an unwanted element.

You know who I am talking about.
/rubs forearm

by putupyourDUKES on May 30, 2009 9:19 PM EDT reply actions

This is what Duemig will say on monday.

by putupyourDUKES on May 30, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Umm let's not

2009 Rays Baseball: God Damn It, Guys

by JMB on May 30, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha

Btw, thanks for the help on the proxy today. I got to enjoy the whole game.

Percival saw Dr. Koko Eaton's last name and mistook it for his prescribed treatment.

by Lurch's Lobbyists on May 30, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Glad Joyce is up, but not at Thayer's expense. Would have liked to see more out of him. Does he have to clear waivers?

by walkoffwalk on May 30, 2009 10:05 PM EDT reply actions

Nah he had all 3 options

He still has 2 left

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

how can someone who has been in the minors for so long have 2 years left of options remaining?

by walkoffwalk on May 30, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

dunno but he wasnt added to the 40 man til this offseason and has all of his options

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Andy Sonnanstine 5. Jeff Niemann...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis

by joeybw on May 30, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

He's passed through the Rule 5 draft multiple times.

by R.J. Anderson on May 30, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions

you have all the answers RJ

yesterday, Michael Kay said the Yabkees were forced to bring Wang up, and now he’s out of options

i thought an option lasted an entire season, up and down as much as you like

by Raymondo on May 30, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions

You're right.

by R.J. Anderson on May 30, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Frankly, I don't understand this move.

The Rays are having absolutely no problems scoring runs. The pitching is the problem. Joyce doing well is nice, but he’s not taking the mound. I don’t see how this makes things better.

"Where we all wait in earnest with pudding in hand for the Upton comet to sail through the roofed skies, so that we may meet Him."

by kericr on May 30, 2009 10:51 PM EDT reply actions