Following the game today, the Rays optioned Juan Salas to Montgomery. They also recalled Jae Kuk Ryu from Durham and placed him on the 15-day disabled list (he’s been out since July after undergoing elbow surgery). That DL move gave them room to recall Perez, and also gives them another spot to play with when it comes to adding a guy to the postseason roster who is not on the active roster before tonight’s deadline.

I believe they’ll be able to bring Salas right back on Tuesday becuase Montgomery’s season is over, but we’ll check that on an upcoming conference call with Andrew Friedman.

Updating, 9:20: Friedman said the Rays do indeed expect Salas to be back Tuesday (along with Troy Percival), and they also will recall catcher John Jaso from Durham that day. That will be the end of the call-ups until Durham is done unless someone else is needed because of an injury in the meantime.

One more update, 9:30: The Rays have released catcher Mike DiFelice. Shows what I know, eh? The explanation, by the way, for why Jaso over DiFelice was the Rays really don’t anticipate using the third catcher much at all, and most likely as an extra bat off the bench as much as anything…

Updating again, 9:40: Why Perez over, say, Jonny Gomes? Sounds like defense might have been the overriding factor.

“We felt like he’s got a unique skill set that if we wanted to go that way would help diversify us a little bit,” Friedman said of Perez. “Obviously with injuries and anything else, we still have the ability to replace different guys, and with two guys on the DL in Orvella and Ryu, that will give us, in our opinion, all the roster flexibility we would need if we wanted to add anyone else.”

To recap on the rules there, the Rays would be able to add anyone who was in the organization as of midnight tonight to their postseason roster to replace an injured player. With both Orvella and Ryu now on the big-league DL, they essentially have two free spots to use on players who aren’t active right now—such as David Price—if they want to use them in the playoffs.

So, here’s where it stands right now: For Tuesday’s game, the Rays expect to have Perez, Salas and Jaso all active in addition to Troy Percival, who will come off the 15-day DL. Any other moves will wait until Durham is done unless an injury or a particularly tough stretch for the bullpen warrants reinforcements

The Tampa Bay Rays activated closer Troy Percival from the 15-day disabled list before Tuesday night's game against the New York Yankees.

The 38-year-old right-hander, sidelined because of cartilage damage in his right knee, had been out since Aug. 14, when he limped off the mound after fielding a ninth-inning bunt at Oakland.

The Rays also recalled right-handed reliever Juan Salas from Double-A Montgomery and catcher John Jaso from Triple-A Durham.

I just noticed that the Rays have exactly one off day from now until the end of the season... and it'll be on the road, since it's in between a road series in Boston and another one in New York.

Actually, their schedule is quite brutal: 17 road games out of 26 with the afore mentioned single off-day. You'd have to think they'd wear down... but you'd also have to think that Francona is aiming wild card and fresher players rather than tired division winners...

[HIJACK]

My birthday is on Wednesday the 10th, and I'm going to be at the Sox/Rays game. Any idea what the pitching matchup might be?

...sorry, ahead of time.
[/HIJACK]

Andy Sonnanstine can tie the club record for wins if he wins tonight. Who holds the record? None other than old friend (friend?) Rolando Arrojo. I just thought it was funny.

Like I said in a gamethread in the Sox forum, I've never given up on the division. As long as we have those six games head to head, we have a chance. With the way we're playing, we definitely have a shot. Hopefully the Jays can be a thorn in the Rays side, instead of ours for once.

Right-hander Matt Garza allowed one run and six hits while striking out seven over seven strong innings, but the Rays were blanked by the Blue Jays. B.J. Upton collected three hits, while Willy Aybar had two for Tampa Bay.

Too bad my rays lost:(

At least I aint the Dead Sux

Upton has a torn labrum in his left shoulder. It prevents him from swinging the bat with authority. It caused the shoulder to pop out of its socket in May, and it will require him to have surgery in the offseason.

The pain is manageable. The bigger issue is that it has become a hindrance to his swing. The shoulder is weaker and, because of the tear, Upton, 24, has to worry every full extension could lead to a dislocation that might end his season.

BJ Upton has been playing in pain and will have off-season surgery.
Upton bats and throws right.

Okaaay... Swinging a bat effectively requires more than just one good side (though I've seen some pretty good one-handed wiffleball swings)...unless I'm missing the point entirely...

You are missing the point entirely I think.

The key part of that was that it was his left shoulder. While yes, you do swing with both arms, the left shoulder for a right handed hitter is important for the follow through. The right arm is more of a guide arm. If your left shoulder is hurting as a right handed hitter, you are probably significantly losing power.

I was always taught that your dominant side supplies the power and your lead hand is the guide. So for a right hander, your right hand/arm supplies the power while the left is your guide.

UPDATE, 3:15: The Rays have called up Johnson and Hernandez, and to make room on the 40-man roster designated for assignment Joel Guzman. Johnson may start in leftfield tonight.

Johnson spent most of the 2005-07 seasons with the A's, and hit a career high 18 homers last year.

UPDATE, 2:54: Still nothing official from the Rays, but there's reason to expect INF/OF Dan Johnson and C Michel Hernandez to both be joining the team today.

Johnson, acquired in April after being let go by Oakland, had a tremendous season at Durham, hitting .307 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs in 113 games. However, he is primarily a first baseman and DH, playing eight games in the outfield (and 10 at third base).

Both Johnson and Hernandez would have to be added to the 40-man roster.

I don't follow the Rays that closely, but I get the impression that Maddon likes to pull the strings a little. Not sure if this is accurate, but it seems to me that this was a move just for the sake of making a move....

Does anyone else here get this feeling?

David Price made his major league debut against the mfy's today. And it was scary. 97 mph fastball. 88-89 mph Hard biting slider. Good command. Nice fluid pitching motion. Yikes.

He really seemed to have a Randy Johnson thing going on today. Rays pitching is going to be rock solid for years to come.

He will not be eligible for postseason, correct?

*CF B.J. Upton (strained left quadriceps) took some swings again today, one day after running on the Tropicana Field turf. Upton said he's "definitely" not ready to be back out in the field, and doesn't know when he'll return to the lineup.

Upton mentioned possibly pinch-hitting, but manager Joe Maddon said he still isn't sure when and if that would happen.

*Speaking of Maddon, he sported a new mohawk of his own today, joining about a half a dozen Rays with the same haircut. Maddon had it cut last night in the name of "unity."

Backup C Shawn Riggans returned after spending several days in the hospital following a surgery to clean up an infected bursa sac. Riggans didn't know if he'd be able to return at all this season, saying that he was merely glad doctors caught the infection when they did, as "it could have been a lot worse."