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Prior to tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Tampa Bay Rays announced that they have demoted Daniel Robertson to Triple-A Durham in order to clear a spot on the active roster for Adeiny Hechavarria, who was acquired yesterday afternoon from the Miami Marlins for prospects (Ethan Clark and Braxton Lee).
This move comes somewhat as a surprise as the Rays decided to send Daniel Robertson to Durham over Taylor Featherston, who also has options.
Hechavarria has only played in 20 major league games this season as he has spent two separate stints on the disabled list due to oblique issues. Never one to do too much as the plate, he’ll make his presence known on the field with his Gold Glove caliber defense up the middle.
Daniel Robertson made the Opening Day roster out of spring training as the team’s back up middle infielder, but would eventually take on a starting role due to Brad Miller’s prolonged stint on the disabled list.
With Robertson’s demotion, the Rays are going with a middle infield made up of Adeiny Hechavarria and Tim Beckham, with Taylor Featherston backing them up. Robertson will presumably take over the starting second base job in Durham.
Over 58 games this season, Robertson slashed .224/.314/.365 with 5 HR and accrued a total of 0.6 fWAR.
Hechavarria will make his Rays debut tonight as he is batting 8th and is the team’s starting short stop.