By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Tampa Bay Rays officially announced the full list of cuts today, which included OF Desmond Jennings, RHP Chris Archer, SS Tim Beckham and C Robinson Chirinos.
The others are: RHP Alex Cobb, RHP Dane de la Rosa, RHP Brandon Gomes, RHP Dirk Hayhurst, 1B Leslie Anderson, Russ Canzler, J.J. Furmaniak, Daniel Mayora and Steven Vogt.
The one that may surprise Rays fans is Jennings, who is one of the Rays top prospects. He's long been expected to take over in the outfield, but with veteran LF Johnny Damon signing in the offseason, his time will likely have to wait. When the Rays summon Jennings, they want him to play, and he'd likely be a reserve currently.
Chirinos, acquired from the Cubs in the offseason Matt Garza trade, has made quite an impression in his first camp. More than likely, he provides some depth in Durham in case the Rays need a catcher this season.
RHP Chris Archer will be able to get more innings in minor league camp, as will RHP Alex Cobb, whom the Rays feel can be one of the next guys up in case an injury hits their rotation.
Cobb, 23, has impressed the Rays this spring, with manager Joe Maddon saying he'll be one of those next guys up in Triple-A in case they need someone to fill in the rotation. But as the Rays starters continue to build up their innings here, Cobb needed to get more work in minor league camp.
Cobb said he was "glad to be up here this long," and will be ready if the Rays call upon him.
"Hearing those things from those guys, saying good things about you, it's an honor," Cobb said of Maddon's praise. "If it turns out they need somebody this year, I hope they could think they could count on me to fill in a spot if they need it."
Gomes, 26, one of the players acquired from the Padres in the offseason Jason Bartlett trade, entered camp with some optimism, among the hopefuls vying for the final bullpen spots. Though disappointed, he appreciated the opportunity and benefited from the experience. He impressed the Rays by throwing four consecutive scoreless outings before giving up two homers in his last one against Boston.
"I came in as positive as I could, and I thought I had a good a chance as any," Gomes said. "The cards fell where they did. But like I said, it was good overall and felt like I got better being up here and meeting all those guys. It was a great experience."
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