4/21: News & Notes
- The Jeff Niemann move last night wasn't the only one the Rays appeared set to make. Though Niemann was pushed out to clear room for 1B Dan Johnson in the immediate, the team will also activate C Dioner Navarro following the conclusion of his rehab assignment tonight for Vero Beach. To make room for Navarro, it looks like C Mike DiFelice has lost out on the battle for the backup catcher's position to Shawn Riggans. Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times reports that DiFelice was seen saying goodbye and hugging teammates following the conclusion of Sunday's game. He could be claimed on waivers as a result of the Rays' having removed him from the active roster.
- In addition, with RHP Matt Garza also soon to return, Topkin speculates that OF Justin Ruggiano will be sent down later this week to make room for him. RHP Andy Sonnanstine was moved forward in the rotation one day to fill Niemann's slot, while it appears as though Garza will start the opening game of the Boston series on Friday. Also on the injury front, IF Ben Zobrist took BP at the Naimoli Complex, but is still a few weeks from returning.
- Some snippets from Marc Lancaster's Notes column in the Tribune:
0 comments | 0 recs
4/15: New York 5, RAYS 3
![]() |
|
![]() |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| New York | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| RAYS | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 |

|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
0 comments | 0 recs
Navarro Placed on 15 Day DL; DiFelice Recalled
Per the Rays Postgame Show, Dioner Navarro will go to the 15 Day Disabled List due to the lacerated finger that he suffered during today's game. Navarro was forced to leave the game early after attempting to break a fall in the dugout by grabbing onto the netting. It was this netting that caused the injury.
To replace Navarro on the active roster, the Rays have recalled C Mike DiFelice from AAA Durham. DiFelice was removed from the Bulls' game tonight in Toledo early after word of the injury got to Fifth Third Field. He will be in Yankee Stadium starting tomorrow afternoon to back up Shawn Riggans. Whenever DiFelice does indeed play in a game, it will be his first appearance on the field in a Rays uniform since July of 2001.
Meanwhile, Riggans takes over as the presumptive starter following the injury. Hopefully he will make the most of the opportunity and prove himself in the Major Leagues after running into some poor luck in previous years due to injury.
The Rays did not have to designate anyone for assignment in order to make room for DiFelice on the 40 man roster. Instead, they moved RHP Juan Salas to the restricted list to free up space. Salas, who is still stuck in the Dominican Republic with visa problems, is supposedly working out at the team's complex in that country, but missed all of spring training.
4 comments | 0 recs










