The Tampa Bay Rays have called up 27-year old righty reliever Brandon Gomes. Gomes pitched in 5 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball so far this year and he was 0-0 with 1 save, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. He only gave up 2 hits while whiffing 8 batters in his first six innings in the minors this year. Gomes pitched in 40 games (0 starts) for the Rays in his first taste of the majors last year and he was 2-1 with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Gomes had a rough spring, but he looks good to go now and the Rays need help in the pen.

The Rays have acquired 28-year old righty starting pitcher Matt Buschmann from the Nationals for cash considerations. Buschmann has not pitched yet in the minors this year. He pitched in 32 games (22 starts) in AA+AAA-ball for the Padres last year and he was 12-6 with a 6.16 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. Buschmann has now pitched in 179 games (116 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 45-39 with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. His minor league career with the Rays will start at AA Montgomery.

The Rays have called up 24-year old righty starting pitcher Alex Cobb to work out of the bullpen. Cobb has pitched in 2 games (both starts) in AAA-ball for the Rays so far this year and he was 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. Cobb pitched in 9 games (all starts) for the Rays last year and he was 3-2 with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. The Rays have sent down 29-year old righty reliever Dane De La Rosa to AAA-ball to make room for Cobb on the roster. De La Rosa pitched in 1 game for the Rays (yesterday in Boston) so far this year and he gave up 4 hits (1 homer), 5 runs (all earned) and he walked 2 batters. This was a move the Rays had to make as the bullpen has been pretty awful overall this year and Cobb is a solid pitcher.

UPDATE: (4/16/2012) - The Rays have sent Alex Cobb back down to AAA-ball before he pitched in any games for them.

The Tampa Bay Rays have sent 27-year old righty reliever Josh Lueke to AAA-ball. Lueke pitched in 2 games (0 starts) for the Rays this year and he was 0-0 with a 27.00 ERA and a 5.14 WHIP. He gave up 9 hits, walked three batters and gave up 7 runs (all earned) without whiffing any batters. Opposing batters were running up to the plate when Lueke was on the mound. The Rays have recalled 29-year old righty reliever Dane De La Rosa to replace Lueke as the mop up man. De La Rosa pitched in 4 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Rays this year and he was 0-1 with 1 save, a 9.00 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. He pitched in 7 games (0 starts) in his first taste of the majors for the Rays last year and he was 0-0 with a 9.82 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP. The Rays hope that De La Rosa is better this time around.

The Tampa Bay Rays have six rookies that could help them in 2012, and here’s a look at them:

Matt Moore: 22-year old lefty starting pitcher Matt Moore is the Rays’ #1 prospect according to Baseball America. He pitched in 3 games (1 start) for the Rays last year and he was 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He also dominated the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs last year. Moore also pitched in 27 games (all starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 12-3 with a 1.92 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. He has now pitched in 99 games (94 starts) in his first five years in the minors and he is 28-21 with a 2.64 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Moore is my pick for the Rookie of the Year Award in 2012 and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him challenge for the team lead in wins.

Chris Archer: 23-year old righty starting pitcher Chris Archer was one of the keys of the Matt Garza trade two winters ago. He comes into this season as the Rays’ #3 prospect according to Baseball America. Archer pitched in 27 games (all starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. Archer has now pitched in 130 games (124 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 35-32 with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Archer could get to the majors in 2012 if the Rays suffer some injuries in the rotation.

Alex Torres: 24-year old lefty starting pitcher Alex Torres comes into this season as the Rays’ #6 prospect according to Baseball America. Torres pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Rays last year and he was 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP. He also pitched in 27 games (all starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 9-7 with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. Torres has now pitched in 114 games (103 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 43-26 with 1 save, a 3.23 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Torres could help the Rays in the rotation or the bullpen in 2012 if a need arises for him.

Tim Beckham: 22-year old righty swinging shortstop Tim Beckham comes into this season as the Rays’ #7 prospect according to Baseball America. Beckham played in 131 games in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 142 of 524 (.271 avg, .736 OPS) with 94 runs scored, 12 homers, 70 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He has now played in 427 games in his first four years in the minors and he is 441 of 1,663 (.265 avg, .713 OPS) with 255 runs scored, 24 homers, 204 RBIs and 58 stolen bases. The Rays are having problems at SS once again, so Beckham could get his first shot at the show in 2012.

Brandon Guyer: 26-year old righty swinging outfielder Brandon Guyer comes into this season as the Rays’ #12 prospect according to Baseball America. Guyer played in 15 games for the Rays last year and he was 8 for 41 (.195 avg, .580 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 2 homers and 3 RBIs. He also played in 107 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 121 of 388 (.312 avg, .905 OPS) with 78 runs scored, 14 homers, 61 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Guyer has now played in 463 games in his first five years in the minors and he is 499 of 1,681 (.297 avg, .837 OPS) with 290 runs scored, 45 homers, 222 RBIs and 109 stolen bases. Guyer will likely help the Rays off the bench at some point in 2012.

Stephen Vogt: 27-year old lefty swinging catcher Stephen Vogt comes into this season as the Rays’ #22 prospect according to Baseball America. Vogt played in 128 games in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 152 of 510 (.298 avg, .829 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 17 homers, 105 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has now played in 427 games in his first five years in the minors and he is 471 of 1,545 (.305 avg, .815 OPS) with 220 runs scored, 35 homers, 257 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Vogt has made the Rays’ opening day roster because of his bat and the fact that he can also play the corner outfield positions.