TAMPA — The Rays made another move to add length to their bullpen on Saturday.

They called up Paul Gervase, a 25-year-old right-hander capable of working multiple innings. He also happens to be 6-foot-10, and uses his height and reach to his advantage with a deceptive delivery.

Gervase, who arrived at Steinbrenner Field around the second inning, pulled on a No. 54 uniform and went straight to the bullpen, made a solid debut, working two innings and allowing only two walks.

“I’ve waited my whole life to be able to do that,” Gervase said. “Just to get out there and pitch well and help the team win, that’s all I could ask for.”

Even more so since he did so on no sleep.

Gervase got word from Durham manager Morgan Ensberg at 11:30 Friday night that he was being called up. He arranged for a 2:50 a.m. ride to the Omaha, Nebraska, airport, had a 5:16 a.m. flight to Atlanta, then a connecting flight to Tampa.

Meanwhile, his family in North Carolina — mom, dad, brother, sister — and his girlfriend’s parents piled into a car and drove through the night to be in Tampa for the 12:10 start. (His girlfriend was in the Bahamas and couldn’t make it.)

“As soon as I called them, they packed for 30 minutes and then they drove down,” Gervase said.

Gervase was acquired from the Mets for reliever Tyler Zuber at last summer’s busy trade deadline and made a good impression on the Rays in spring training with his stuff (fastball, slider) and the funkiness and extension of his delivery due to his height.

“He creates a ton of deception,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

A 2022 12th-round pick from LSU (after previous stops at three small North Carolina schools (Pitt Junior College, Wake Tech, Pfieffer University), he hadn’t pitched higher than Double A until the Rays sent him to Triple-A Durham this year.

“It’s been a very long journey,” he said.

In 33 1/3 innings over 23 games, he went 2-3 with two saves and a 3.78 ERA, but more impressively allowed just a .176 average and 10 walks while striking out 50.

Gervase took the place of Connor Seabold, who was called up Thursday, and got the last open spot on the 40-man roster.

Gervase matches Aaron Slegers as the tallest players in Rays history. Per baseball-reference.com, he is the ninth major-leaguer 6-10 or taller. The tallest? Six-foot-11 pitchers Jon Rauch and Sean Hjelle.

Bigge released from hospitalHunter Bigge gives a thumbs up to fans after getting hit by a foul ball during Thursday's game against the Orioles.Hunter Bigge gives a thumbs up to fans after getting hit by a foul ball during Thursday’s game against the Orioles. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times ]Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

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Reliever Hunter Bigge, who underwent surgery Friday for multiple facial fractures after being hit in the face by a batted ball while sitting in the dugout Thursday, was released from the hospital on Saturday afternoon.

Cash said Bigge stopped by the stadium during the game, and then headed home to rest and continue his recovery.

“He’s swollen up pretty good but he looks pretty amazing,” Cash said.

Before the game, Cash noted how Bigge and his wife, Casey, had remained in good spirits throughout the ordeal.

“We’re just ecstatic with how this is kind of continued to play out,” Cash said. “We appreciate the doctors and the hospital and everybody that’s played a big, big role in helping this, and just continue to get good news throughout.”

Bigge already was on the injured list recovering from a right lat strain and had been slowed by a hamstring issue.

Zack Littell has a HR issueRays pitcher Zack Littell (52) watches as Baltimore's Colton Cowser hits a home run against him during the fifth inning Tuesday night.Rays pitcher Zack Littell (52) watches as Baltimore’s Colton Cowser hits a home run against him during the fifth inning Tuesday night. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]

Zack Littell has had an interesting season to this point, giving up a majors-most 22 homers but posting a respectable 6-7 record and 3.88 ERA with 10 quality starts (six or more innings, three or fewer runs).

“I saw 18 of the 22 are solo shots, so I guess if I’m going to give them up, keep doing that,” said Littell, who starts Sunday. “But it really just comes down to execution. It does feel a little bit like every time I slip up in the execution spot, I’m getting taken out of the park, which is frustrating.

“But at the same time, the big picture is to stay in games and to continue to give these guys a chance to win. Ideally, the home runs don’t come at all. But if we’re going to do it, keep it in these spots where we don’t have traffic on the bases, and then we slip up in these big spots. So definitely a dangerous way to pitch. But I do believe that the execution is going to continue to get better.”

Miscellany

Saturday’s game started at 12:10 p.m., which was 13 hours and 17 minutes after the end of Friday’s game. … Ha-Seong Kim (right shoulder surgery) was expected to play shortstop for Durham Saturday night after going 1-for-4 Friday in re-starting his rehab assignment. He could join the Rays during the week-long road trip. … Ex-Ray and Tiger Austin Meadows was at the game, watching his brother, Parker, play for Detroit and chatting with some former teammates.

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