News from Marc Topkin, St. Pete Times:
The Rays optioned struggling LHP Cesar Ramos to Triple-A Durham, and have recalled RHP Jay Buente, whom they had acquired from the Marlins in late June.
"Struggling" is probably putting it mildly. Ramos currently has a 4.22 ERA on the year, but when you look at his peripherals, it gets real ugly. In 32 innings, he's struck out 21 batters and walked 19. And even though he was initially brought onto the team as a LOOGY (Lefty One Out Guy), he isn't even being effective against lefties, posting a 4.72 FIP against lefties and a 5.24 FIP against righties. He's just been plain bad out there.
Instead, the Rays have decided to take a flyer on yet another bullpen arm, this time calling up Jay Buente. Buente was signed by the Rays earlier this season after he was released by the Marlins, and he's put up decent numbers in Triple-A. His ERA was high there, but he was striking out a fair number of batters (8.3 K/9) and limiting walks (3.0 BB/9), so he's got to be worth a flyer. He can't do much worse than many of our other bullpen arms right now, eh?
And so, the revolving bullpen continues. Hopefully one of these guys will stick and be effective. Personally, I hope we get to see Dane De La Rosa again sometime soon.