Dioner Navarro Receives Two Game Suspension; Ekstrom Optioned to Durham

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 27, 2010 11:27 AM EDT

Navarro gets a 2-game suspension, starting tonight, for bumping umpire. C Lobaton recalled from Durham. P Ekstrom optioned to Durham.

Considering Navarro's suspension is for only two games, this is a relatively minor move. The Rays want a back-up catcher on hand besides Sean Rodriguez, and Ekstrom was the easiest person to demote. Between yesterday's off-day and the recent success of the Rays' starters, the bullpen is exceptionally rested at the moment and can survive two days with only six members. And for those not following the minors, Lobaton is a 25-year-old catching prospect that is praised for his defensive work. He's not as strong offensively as Jaso, but he's hit well since his recent promotion to Durham (~19 ABs, so take it for what it is).

My hunch: this is the last time we see Ekstrom in the majors for now. Joaquin Benoit has been dominating down in Triple-A (8 IP, 16 K, 2 BB, 7 H) and I would be surprised if he isn't called up when Navarro's suspension is over.

Here's the official release:

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Dioner Navarro has been suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount for his inappropriate conduct, including making contact with Umpire Dan Bellino, during the top of the sixth inning of his Club's Friday, April 23^rd game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Bob Watson, Vice President of On-Field Operations for Major League Baseball, made the announcement.

Unless appealed, Navarro is scheduled to serve his suspension during Tampa Bay's games tonight and tomorrow night (Wednesday) against the Oakland Athletics at Tropicana Field.

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Comments

Here, I fixed it:

Considering Navarro’s suspension is for only two games, this is probably the end of the road for the shaving-cream-pie slinging catcher.

from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum

by BWoodrum on Apr 27, 2010 11:33 AM EDT reply actions

C'mon, I feel MLB missed a great opportunity to make a loud and clear example out of Navi regarding players making contact with umpires

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Well, the team can still stand up and not tolerate this kind of disrespect

Send him to the Nats for a Minor League reliever that we soon dfa

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I predict attendance will slump from the season average as a reaction to Navi's shameful outburst

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

No more so than if they don't put our marquee player (Jason Bartlett) in the line up vs a division rival

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

JP Peterson:

Alluded to the fact that Bartlett would not hit .330 every year so the Rays fans shouldn’t have to panic about the Rays’ inability to pony up New York Jeter type money to keep him, 3/18 should get it done." Sleep well, TGN1

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

That's more than fair value for him. Your precious $/WAR figures don't mean anything when you're talking about the face of the franchise.

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

You serisously, honestly just gave me a facial twitch.

from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum

by BWoodrum on Apr 27, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

JP Peterson wanted to trade B.J. Upton for Dontrelle Willis after the 2007 season.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 27, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

We could've moved B.J. for Dontrelle or Jacoby?

Man we missed out.

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Apr 27, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't believe it, Willis is also black

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

He smiled a lot.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 27, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

He kept smiling even while he was down here in Lakeland all that time...

by Hatfield on Apr 27, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

The Sports Babe wanted to trade BJ Upton for Ken Griffey Jr last season

and she said it multiple times.

by Sveet on Apr 27, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

listens to am radio has double digit iq

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

And DFA Pena in the Spring

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Well she is a Yankee fan broadcasting on a station that plays Yankee games

by Karandrs on Apr 27, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

God I hate her

How does she have that job? She has close to zero sports knowledge.

Tampa has to have the worst sports radio hosts.

Go Gators!!

by matthan on Apr 27, 2010 12:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Now that Flip & Bill are gone

I absolutely agree.

by Hatfield on Apr 27, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

When Duemig may be your leader in quality sports radio

You know you’re screwed.

PIZZA?!?

by Transplanted on Apr 27, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed, this sort of pathetic suspension is why 'Ump Bumping' is going to be all the rage amongst kids.

by ega05me on Apr 27, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Is there any chance we can shoose to have Navi serve his suspension during his regular at bats?

Navi comes up to bat, thats 1/4 of 1 game. It would be like an extra DH for two games. We need to get creative here.

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Apr 27, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Rec'd

by walkoffwalk on Apr 27, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm fine with the suspension of Navarro.

It means that Jaso gets at least one more start than he might of previously. It also saves Maddon from having to show loyalty to Navarro over these next couple of games. It definitely looks like Benoit is on his way back up.

by ega05me on Apr 27, 2010 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

May want to fix this sentence.

The Rays want a back-up catcher on hand during besides Sean Rodriguez,

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Apr 27, 2010 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

Oops...thanks.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 27, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Who moves to AAA with Lobaton and Jaso up in the bigs?

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Apr 27, 2010 11:44 AM EDT reply actions

Ekstrom, you can't read can you?

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

He's new, give him sometime.

I was the head of the Eric Berry bandwagon- Im sad to say its partially over.
Keep it building,Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!

by 4QB on Apr 27, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

No, I think he meant catchers.

Both of Durham’s catcher are now in the majors.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 27, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh, I'm new, give me some time.

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Sigh, It's sarcasm.

I was the head of the Eric Berry bandwagon- Im sad to say its partially over.
Keep it building,Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!

by 4QB on Apr 27, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Damn.

I’m so bad at picking up on it.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 27, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

You channeled your inner-RJ mode in the Luck thread

Quite Impressive

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm all for patience

But it’s tough when people are ridiculous.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 27, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I did mean catcher. Ashley is in AA, who else is down there?

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Apr 27, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Albernaz, another Golden Gun

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Speaking of which FreeZo Fave David Newmann is on the hill now for the Biscuits

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2010_04_27_msbaax_monaax_1

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Will Kline is... not

He’s really milking that injury, huh?

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Apr 27, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I suppose so, the enigmatic Kline and Bush, so many questions, so little info

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I want to see Cobb back soon.

by ega05me on Apr 27, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Ugh

It was a bad pick then, it’s a worse pick now. I just have to be thankful that the NDRO has done well with grabbing talented players who dropped (Hellickson, Bailey, etc.), mid-round picks (Jennings, Moore) and mid-range international talent (Colome, W. Rodriguez), because they really haven’t done all that well with guys in the 2 – 5 range, other than the guys who everyone knew had 1st round talent but dropped for some reason.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Apr 27, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

3 ip 2 h 0 r 0 bb 3 k

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Apr 27, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Ground ball machine

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I MEANT CATCHERS CANT YOU READ MY MIND

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Apr 27, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

WHY ARE WE YELLING?

I was the head of the Eric Berry bandwagon- Im sad to say its partially over.
Keep it building,Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!

by 4QB on Apr 27, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

LOUD NOISES!

from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum

by BWoodrum on Apr 27, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Albernaz I'd assume.

by ega05me on Apr 27, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Then again, Albernaz is playing today for the Biscuits.

How about we get Riggans back.

by ega05me on Apr 27, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Can't, he'll hurt himself in the plane ride to Tampa

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Apr 27, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

KEVIN KENNEDY

Will save him.

I was the head of the Eric Berry bandwagon- Im sad to say its partially over.
Keep it building,Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!

by 4QB on Apr 27, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

One of the org fillers.

Ashley, Albernaz, Spring, whatever.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 27, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

What?

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh, haha missed the troll

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for ruining it.

I don’t run around pouring water on your troll attempts.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 27, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

What am I, rglass?

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Matthan- Most definitely.

I was the head of the Eric Berry bandwagon- Im sad to say its partially over.
Keep it building,Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!

by 4QB on Apr 27, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not fond of how the word "definitely" is used around here.

It doesn’t vibe with my personal definition. Please change your diction accordingly.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 27, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd for old school R.J.isms

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Apr 27, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

unequivocally?

I was the head of the Eric Berry bandwagon- Im sad to say its partially over.
Keep it building,Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!

by 4QB on Apr 27, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

The world revolves around me

Go Gators!!

by matthan on Apr 27, 2010 12:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

TWISM

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Calling Ashley org filler?

In before FreeZo

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Apr 27, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I sniffed out the troll

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Paxton is not on a roster since Ashley returned

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Ashley??? Filler???

He’s OPSing .818!!

RIP Andy Hellicksonstine. He died, like so many young men of his generation, he died before his time. In your wisdom, SBN, you took him, as you took so many bright flowering young men at the OTTOTD. These young men gave their lives. And so would Andy. Andy, who loved trannies.

by PlayOnWords on Apr 27, 2010 11:51 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Since it's only 2 games, and one would think that Rodriguez could do in an emergency pinch, does bringing Lobaton up mean anything longer term for Navi or am I wishcasting

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 11:48 AM EDT reply actions

The sheer fact that Jaso is hitting and Shoppach has a 2yr deal(+option)

While Navi had to take a no-gain arb2 deal, he’s really screwed.

PIZZA?!?

by Transplanted on Apr 27, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Shoppach's on a 2 year deal with a 3rd year club option?

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Apr 27, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

Signed it this off-season after we traded for him

PIZZA?!?

by Transplanted on Apr 27, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Wishcasting?

Do I need to get my robe and wizard hat?

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Apr 27, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Wishcasting Wednesday is a safe haven for wishes, a fertile field in which to plant wish seeds and have them witnessed and tended lovingly.

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Is anyone going to address this On-Topic discussion point?

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Wishcast

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Why? Can't they ask him to go "work on his swing" down Durham way? If he says no they could dfa him?

DRB: There is certainly good content, but other than that the behavior here is pretty poor; They are right, you are wrong. End of story.

This is supposed to be the less technical, more relaxed blog for cool kids.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 27, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

He's a better complement to Jaso than Lobes vs LHP

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

How did we acquire Lobaton?

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Apr 27, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Claimed him off waivers from padres

Switch hitter who is better from left, and has a good defensive rep

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Apr 27, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I saw that

Nice confirmation that Maddon has been rocking it with the pen this season.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 27, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

"19 AB's (so take it for what it is)"

Isn’t that what we’re doing with Jaso? Should we all hop on the Lobaton Express? I’m down, as long as Tony Montana introduces him every game, LO-BA-TON!

by jrunyon2 on Apr 27, 2010 12:18 PM EDT reply actions