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The Rays take on Toronto's left handed Daniel Norris tonight, and in announcing their line up, the Rays have lifted the replacement-first baseman Allan Dykstra for... Rene Rivera?
#Rays lineup: Guyer LF, Souza Jr RF, Cabrera DH, Longoria 3B, Jennings CF, Forsythe 2B, Rivera 1B, Beckham SS, Wilson C - RHP Andriese
— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) April 14, 2015
Per baseball-reference, Rene Rivera has played 3 games at 1B in the majors, 34 in the minors prior to starting there tonight for the #Rays.
— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) April 14, 2015
#rays Rivera said he played 1B 15 to 20 times during winter ball last winter
— RMooneyTBO (@RMooneyTBO) April 14, 2015
When Ian previewed the Rays offense against Norris, it was Longo-Souza-Jennings-Cabrera-Guyer who led the projections, and we have them in the front five. The rest is ancillary, thought it should be noted Forsythe is the other Rays player active and projected above average.
From there, Rivera comves in the seventh strongest choice, and here he is. It's a pity the Rays couldn't sneak Mikie Mahtook into the order, but at the end of the order defense is the higher priority.
So is this a vote of confidence in Tim Beckham playing short stop, or more a concern for Cabrera after taking a piece of rubber turf to the eye in yesterday's game?