Rays activate Tommy Hunter, place Jumbo Diaz on Disabled List

Prior to today’s afternoon series finale with the Los Angeles Angles, the Tampa Bay Rays have announced that they have activated Tommy Hunter from the 10-day DL (calf strain) and have placed Jumbo Diaz on the disabled list with right arm fatigue. His placement on the DL is retroactive to Tuesday, meaning he is eligible to return on June 2nd.

Tommy Hunter was placed on the DL towards the end of April after straining his calf while covering first base. Up to that point, Hunter had pitched in 10 games for the Rays this season and nine of those had been scoreless. He is a major league veteran now of 10 years, having spent time with the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and now the Rays.

Hunter is expected to step back into a high-leverage role with the Rays alongside Danny Farquhar to set up Alex Colome, taking on the hole in the Rays roster that was previously being plugged by Jumbo Diaz.

Diaz was a surprising addition to the Rays in spring training as the Rays swooped in and claimed him after the Cincinnati Reds decided to let him go. Diaz’s path the majors was a long winding road that took him over 10 years to fulfill -- which we covered earlier this year.

Diaz started out the year strong for the Rays and was one of the team’s most dependable relievers, but as the calendar turned to May, Diaz’s numbers inflated. Hopefully rest helps him re-harness that 98 mph fastball.