The Rays have made a number of roster moves today. In terms of additions to the active roster, Brandon Lowe was activated from the 60-day injured list and Ryan Yarbrough was recalled from the taxi squad, per Neil Solondz of the Rays (via Twitter). To make room on the 40-man roster for Lowe, centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier was transferred to the 60-day injured list with left hip inflammation. To create the active roster space, Ralph Garza Jr. and Jonathan Aranda were both optioned to Triple-A.
Lowe has been one of the Rays top position players as the organization has surged to prominence over the last couple of seasons. Second base has become a full team effort with Lowe on the shelf. Aranda, Taylor Walls, Vidal Brujan, Yu Chang, and Isaac Paredes all started at the keystone in July. Lowe has been out since May 15 with a lower back injury. Before the injury, he racked up 133 plate appearances with a .212/.293/.415 triple slash line.
For his small part, Aranda stepped in nicely for a seven-game stretch, going 6-for-16 at the plate, striking out three times without taking a walk. It was the first bit of big league action for the 24-year-old infielder.
Yarbrough tossed 34 innings for the Rays earlier this season with a 5.82 ERA/5.35 FIP. The crafty southpaw has been as consistent a presence as the Rays allow over the past five seasons.
In a separate deal, the Rays have claimed Cooper Criswell off waivers from the Angels and optioned him to Triple-A, per Solondz. To make room on the 40-man roster, Shane Baz was transferred to the 60-day injured list. The 25-year-old Criswell made his Major League debut for the Angels last season, making a single start. He has registered a 3.50 ERA through 18 innings in Triple-A this season.
Aranda has flat out hit, but I assumed as the lefty he’d be sent down. Hoping Lowe comes back hot. Heck, I’d find a way to platoon Aranda and Paredes at DH; Harold is rough in the outfield, but Raley and Phillips…eek. Josh in center, Randy in left…or get B Lowe in outfield and give ab’s to the young ones at 2B.
I don’t get the reluctance to keep Aranda up at the big league level. He has scorched AAA all year and has done well in very limited action at the big league level. I agree, find a place for him at DH, 2B (with Lowe moving to the outfield), or somewhere. This team is lean on hitting and could use his bat.
Brandon Lowe is not the best 2B option. Keep him in the OF
Criswell will become a Cy Young candidate next year now that he left the Angels
Lowe of the Brandon type was one of a number of offense-type players who could thrive at 2B with the lower defensive requirements once the slide rule was changed and defensive shifting came into style. With a restriction in shifts likely planned for 2023, more defensive-minded 2B’man will be in demand, so the Rays might want to plan his next position.