- Newly acquired Matt Joyce poses for picture on media day. Joyce was named to the 25 man roster Wednesday.
…NO! We aren’t talking about Gary Sheffield.
After much discussion this spring that newly acquired outfielder Matt Joyce would start the season with Durham, it was found out today that he will indeed make the 25 man roster for opening day.
All it took was an injury to centerfield B.J. Upton and a minor league assignment dolled out to second baseman Adam Kennedy for it to happen.
Joyce will likely get some time in centerfield while Upton recovers from taking a pitch to the hand last week. The injury is a lucky stroke for Joyce, as Upton was ahead of schedule from off season shoulder surgery. The initial thoughts before Spring Training started were that Upton would start the season on the 15 Day, allowing his shoulder more time to heal, however he was ahead of schedule when, when the HBP ruined his plans of starting on opening day.
Joyce was acquired by the Rays in the off season in a trade for Edwin Jackson with the Detroit Tigers.
Thomas Gemkow is the editor-in-chief of TampaBayRaysFan.com. Founded in January of 2009, TampaBayRaysFan.com is a compilation of all the best of the Rays, from across the web. The website can be followed on Twitter
