Rocco Baldelli was moved from Class A-Advanced Charlotte to the AAA Durham Bulls as he continues his comeback attempt. Rocco posted a 46 plate appearance slash line of .283/.296/.370 with a 1:11 walk-to-strikeout ratio. This move may have more to do with a lack of healthy options behind the Bulls' starting outfield of Desmond Jenning, Justin Ruggiano, and Leslie Anderson as opposed to some sort of Major League fast-tracking. With September call ups on the horizon there is potential for any of the starters along with currently injured 40-man member Fernando Perez to be lifted away from AAA.
25-year-old Cuban signee Jose Julio Ruiz was moved from the DSL squad where he hit for a line of .447/.527/.702 with a BB:K of 8:6 to Class AA Montgomery. Ruiz, a first-baseman, is younger than Leslie Anderson and profiles as more of a true slugger. Tommy Rancel previewed the Ruiz signing in June noting that the Rays had him for essentially a tryout for peanuts, with a $4 million option for four years looming after the season.
23-year-old right-hander Kirby Yates was promoted to Charlotte from Bowling Green. Yates who was undrafted came out of nowhere to strike out 16.7 per-nine-innings out of the bullpen in 2009 for Princeton. Yates began the season in the Hot Rods' pen posting a FIP of 1.39 including a K/9 of 14.8 in 54 innings pitched. He was converted to a starter with greatly diminished success (FIP 4.74). The move may indicate a transition back to the pen where Yates seemed dominant. With David Newmann going back on the injured list in Montgomery and the promotion of Jake McGee to Durham, there could be a promotion coming from Charlotte to AA (Matt Moore after tonight?).