SEATTLE — The Rays held their cards at the Trade Deadline just a little more than a week ago, but over the past few days they have been moving bodies.
The club has added two players to the big league roster, a couple more to the organization and three were designated for assignment.
It’s all in an effort to set up the club for this tough road trip and the final two-month run at the playoffs.
Two guys the club hopes will have an immediate impact are catcher Gregg Zaun and right-hand pitcher Russ Springer, brought in over the past two days.
Zaun was acquired Friday from Baltimore for a player to be named later. He started behind the plate on Saturday against Seattle. Catcher Michel Hernandez was designated for assignment to make room.
Springer was claimed off waivers on Saturday morning from Oakland. He was available on Saturday. Infielder Joe Dillon was designated for assignment to make room.
In addition, lefty R.J. Swindle was claimed off waivers from Milwaukee earlier on Saturday, then he was designated for assignment to make room for Springer on the 40-man roster.
Also, right-hander Winston Abreu, traded by Tampa Bay in July to Cleveland, was claimed on Thursday when the Indians designated him. Right-hander John Meloan was designated to make room on the 40-man roster.
“[Springer] has done a good job against right-hand hitters this year. He’s very durable,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “He’s a nice influence for some of the other pitchers. It’s going to be a really good fit.”
Maddon plans to spot Springer, a 17-year veteran, almost exclusively against right-hand hitters.
Springer has made 712 career appearances, 12th among active pitchers. This will be his ninth team. He has been to the postseason five times and the World Series twice (Atlanta, 1999; Houston, 2005).
This also means the club is carrying 13 pitches, including eight relievers. Asked how long the club will carry that many, Maddon said, “I’m not sure. I would say through the road trip. Then when we get back we’ll see.
“Plus, we have Chad Bradford getting ready. It’s a good problem. We need to build up our relievers. We need that cache. We have it. We just have try to figure out how long we need eight guys.”
Zaun said before Saturday’s game, “Just being on a team still in hunt is something I haven’t been part of in quite a while. I’m excited for that opportunity.
“I spent a lot of time watching the hitters here [in the American League East],” he added. “I know most of them. I have extensive scouting reports on everybody. I know pretty much how to get them out.”
He said he’s going to be working overtime over the next couple weeks to familiarize himself with the Rays’ staff.
“I don’t want to be the reason why these guys come up short,” he said, “so I’m going to so everything I can.”
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
