Tampa Bay Rays news and links: No more Rasmus

The big news from yesterday is that Rays outfielder Colby Rasmus decided to stop playing baseball. This is extremely unusual. While Rasmus was on the 10-day disabled list, he was expected to be able to return soon, and he had performed well this year when healthy.

The team statement did not give much information:

“The Rays fully support Colby’s decision to step away from baseball. We are thankful for his contributions to our team, and we wish him and his family the best as they move forward. Respecting the privacy of Colby and his family, the Rays will have no further comment.”

And the beat writers don’t appear to have anything to add, at least not yet.

We wish him well.

Here’s what Rasmus’s departure means for the Rays outfield situation.

As you can see, it’s a crowded outfield picture.

The Rays do expect Tim Beckham back this Sunday, which will allow them to keep Corey Dickerson in left field and use Brad Miller as the DH.

Links

• Joe Saunders wrote about the Rays bullpen options for the second half.
• Marc Topkin wrote about the five players on whom the Rays’ playoff hopes most rest.
• Bill Chastain writes that the Rays are in a position to buy at the deadline, and wonders about acquiring David Robertson.
• The Yankees traded away pitcher Tyler Webb to the Brewers for first baseman Garrett Cooper.
• Big trade yesterday, with the Cubs acquiring Jose Quintana, and sending a big package of prospects south to the White Sox. Jeff Sullivan thinks the Cubs gave the right amount.
• Jessica Kleinschmidt wrote that Aaron Judge’s fly ball that hit the roof in Miami during the home run derby “defied the laws of physics.” Um, no. The story is that some some engineers got a model wrong, or didn’t consider the right inputs.
• “Who’s your favorite minor league pitcher?”