News
Rays plan to keep Davis in rotation
Promising righty gets chance as Sonnanstine moves to 'pen
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
09/08/09 7:00 PM ET
NEW YORK -- Wade Davis is in. Andy Sonnanstine is out.Rays manager Joe Maddon announced prior to Tuesday's game against the Yankees that Davis, the rookie right-hander who pitched so well on Sunday against the Tigers, will now be in the starting rotation. Meanwhile, Sonnanstine will move to the bullpen after surrendering eight runs in 2 2/3 innings in Monday night's 11-1 loss to New York.
James Shields will start Tampa Bay's series with Boston on Friday, and Davis will pitch Saturday; Matt Garza will start Sunday against the Red Sox. David Price will open the Rays' series against the Orioles in Baltimore on Sept. 15 and will be followed by Jeff Niemann, Shields and Davis. Garza will start against the Blue Jays on Friday, Sept. 18, when the Rays return to Tropicana Field, and he will be followed by Price and Niemann.
"All I know is I'm pitching on Saturday," Davis said. "I haven't been told too much else. I'm excited about that."
Davis struck out nine and allowed just one earned run in seven innings on Sunday in his Major League debut, but the right-hander isn't about to rest on his laurels.
"It's going to take a lot more than that to get a rotation spot," Davis said. "Hopefully, I'll have a good September and come into Spring Training next year and do well. Hopefully, we can win some games and get back in it. ... I definitely don't want to go back [to Triple-A Durham]. I definitely want to stay."
Sonnanstine handled the news with class.
"I'm a little bit [disappointed]," Sonnanstine said. "I pictured this season going a little different in my head, obviously. But Wade came up and had a great start, and I think he deserves a couple of more. For the time being, I'll be in the bullpen and trying to help out."
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
