Published Aug. 3|Updated Aug. 4
HOUSTON — Jose Siri didn’t see it as any big deal.
Some of his Rays teammates had a hard time believing what they were seeing.
In the bottom of the eighth inning Friday night, with the Rays trailing by a run in an important game, Siri moved from centerfield to first base.
“I was already in (the clubhouse) saw it and had to do a double take,” reliever Kevin Kelly said. “OK, sure ... "
Manager Kevin Cash had limited options. The Rays had already pinch run for first baseman Yandy Diaz at third base in the top of the inning after Diaz tweaked his right hamstring on a first-inning double. They had pinch-hit earlier for infielder Curtis Mead. Brandon Lowe was the DH, and his turn in the order was potentially coming up in the ninth so they didn’t want to move him yet (but may have later). Catcher Ben Rortvedt was the only player left on the bench.
No matter that Siri never played first at any level and had made his only two infield appearances as a pro in 2013.
“Just because he’s taken so many ground balls (during pre-game drills), he’s pretty athletic, and probably a guy that it’s not going to bother mentally, so he’ll go over there, be confident and play,” Cash said.
Siri said he welcomed the opportunity, and, having borrowed Lowe’s glove, wished he would have gotten to make a play.
“I was waiting for at least a ground ball,” said Siri, via team interpreter Manny Navarro. “I feel like centerfielders and shortstops can play any position on the field.”
Starter Shane Baz was another teammate surprised by the move: “I’m sure he’ll be talking about that for a little while.”
But seriously …
Brandon Lowe will assume some duties as the first baseman with Isaac Paredes traded, and he got a refresher course from infield coach Brady Williams and extra work there before Friday’s game.
Lowe has stuck to second base and DH the last three seasons, but has some very limited experience at first (five starts in 2019, one inning in each of 2020 and 2021) and said he will work to be ready.
“It’s been a while,” Lowe said. “Obviously more comfortable at second, but that’s probably expected as I’ve played the majority of my games over there. …
“We’ve got a lot of games coming up in a row and trading Isaac ... you kind of need somebody else to go over there and fill the role. I’ve had experience there before and if it’s something that comes down and I find myself over there, at least I’ve gotten a little bit of work in.”
The biggest adjustment? “There’s a lot of footwork around the base, getting there from different positions, understanding where you can play … so you can get over to the bag,” Lowe said. “I remember that being a big thought process and a big key. And just getting the reps, getting used to the big glove.”
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Explore all your optionsMead also has done some work at first base and will be in the mix.
Houston homecoming
Shane Baz was born and grew up in the greater Houston area, and greatly enjoyed the chance to pitch at home for the first time as a pro. He worked into the sixth on Friday, allowing two runs, and had about 200 relatives (including his parents and sister) and friends cheering him on.
“It was cool,” Baz said. “If you told the little kid sitting in the rightfield stands probably 15 years ago that he would get to pitch there, he’d be pretty excited. Yeah, it was good.”
Miscellany
New addition Hunter Bigge will be the opener Sunday with Tyler Alexander expected to work bulk innings. ... Drew Rasmussen (elbow surgery) allowed two runs and three hits over two innings in another rehab outing in Triple-A Durham’s rain-delayed Saturday game, with the potential to rejoin the Rays as soon as Tuesday. ... Ryan Pepiot had no issues from his previously infected right knee in a Friday bullpen session and will do a three-inning simulated game on Monday. A rehab start is still possible. ... Class A Bowling Green’s Cooper Kinney and Owen Wild were named the Rays’ minor-league player and pitcher of the month for July. … Diaz homered to extend his road game on-base streak to 26, the longest active such run in the majors. … The Rays are slated to wear their City Connect uniforms Wednesday in St. Louis.
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