The Rays have released 30-year old righty starter/reliever Dirk Hayhurst. Hayhurst pitched in 11 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Rays this year and he was 4-2 with a 4.12 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. The Rays weren’t going to call up Hayhurst in September anyways, so it didn’t make sense to keep him around. He might be able to hook up with another team before this year is over.

26-year old righty swinging infielder Sean Rodriguez has pretty much taken over as the starting SS for the Rays. He got the chance because the Rays have tired of running out Reid Brignac (.194 avg) and Elliot Johnson (.195) at SS. Rodriguez has played in 104 games for the Rays so far this year and he is 66 for 300 (.220 avg, .672 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 6 homers, 28 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Rodriguez has played well defensively at SS and he always hustles which gives him points with manager Joe Maddon. The Rays need him to pick it up with the bat a little bit in September to help them chase down the Yankees.

35-year old righty reliever Kyle Farnsworth decided to sign with the team closest to his home last winter and it has really paid off for him. Farnsworth won the closer’s job in spring training and he has been outstanding ever since. He has pitched in 53 games (0 starts) for the Rays so far this year and he is 5-1 with 22 saves (a new career high), a 1.84 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. He only has given up 34 hits in his first 49 innings this year while whiffing 41 batters and walking only 8…..which is pretty darn impressive. Farnsworth has been even better so far in August. He has pitched in 8 games out of the pen this month and he is 2-0 with 2 saves, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.00 WHIP!

When the Rays dealt with the Cleveland Indians to bring in 31-year old righty swinging catcher Kelly Shoppach with the thought that he would give them power behind the plate. His power has been sporadic at best, while often looking hopeless at the plate. Shoppach has played in 70 games for the Rays so far this year and he is 32 for 179 (.179 avg, .582 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 7 homers, 18 RBIs and an amazing 64 whiffs. Shoppach has now played in 133 games in his first two years with the Rays and he is 63 for 337 (.187 avg, .614 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 12 homers and 35 RBIs. I will be shocked if the Rays bring back Kelly Shoppach for a third season in 2012.

The Rays have activated 27-year old lefty swinging catcher John Jaso from the disabled list and they have sent 27-year old righty swinging catcher Robinson Chirinos to AAA. Jaso has played in 65 games for the Rays already this year and he is 40 for 180 (.222 avg, .639 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 3 homers, 17 RBIs and 1 stolen base. The Rays are confident that Jaso will be better this time around. Robinson Chirinos played in 20 games for the Rays this year and he was 12 for 55 (.218 avg, .592 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 7 RBIs. Chirinos will likely be brought back up when rosters expand on September 1st.