Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Gathright, Cortez to Royals

Two former Biscuits are headed to the Kansas City Royals.

Outfielder Joey Gathright and infielder Fernando Cortez were traded to the Royals on Tuesday. The Devil Rays picked up left-handed pitcher J.P. Howell in the deal.

Howell was 3-2 with a 4.75 ERA at Class AAA Omaha this year.

The Rays also demoted pitcher Seth McClung to Durham, but haven't announced who will take McClung's roster spot. They're supposed to announce it tonight.

Howell has major-league experience, so he could go to Tampa Bay. Or another pitcher could be promoted, opening a spot for Howell at Durham.

Either way, Durham is out two position players -- which makes me curious if the Biscuits are about to lose a few.

Cortez was the Bulls' starting second baseman. Elliot Johnson was struggling before going on the DL with a groin injury, but he was activated today and was raking it early in the season.

3 comments:

Stacy Long said...

The Rays have announced that Howell will report to Durham.

Stacy Long said...

Gathright will go straight to the Royals. Cortez is headed to Class AAA Omaha.

(Best steak I've ever had was in Omaha, though I can't remember the name of the plate, it was near Rosenblatt. Nary a drop of steak sauce touched that plate, it was that good.)

The Rays have promoted Edwin Jackson to take McClung's roster spot.

That leaves Durham one player short of its roster limit.

Dadgumit, now I'm in the mood for a steak.

Stacy Long said...

The Rays filled the Durham roster spot by signing infielder Jason Romano, who was released in spring training by the Brewers.

Romano was with the organization in 2004 and played in four major-league games.