BOSTON — Monday night was Ian Seymour’s chance to celebrate.
All of his hard work, and the help and support he got from family and friends along the way, as he made his major-league debut, throwing two scoreless and hitless innings at Fenway Park, where he used to attend games as a kid, to lead the Rays to a hard-fought win.
This,” he said in the clubhouse afterward, “is probably the best day of my whole life.”
But Tuesday morning was a reminder of reality.
Seymour, 26, had joined the Rays on Sunday to provide a fresh arm capable of covering multiple innings to help a bullpen taxed by heavy use.
Having thrown 28 pitches Monday, and being on a starter’s once-every-sixth-day or so throwing schedule, Seymour wasn’t going to be of further help to the Rays for at least several days.
So he was optioned back to Triple-A Durham.
With Ian Seymour going back down to Triple A, the Rays turn to Mason Englert. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
“Look, it’s tough anytime you send somebody down. And certainly with Ian, for his debut up here,” manager Kevin Cash said. “I think this morning, when I talked to him, he’s probably still deservedly so on cloud nine and really excited.
“I just expressed the appreciation and just how impressed we were with the way that he controlled the environment and controlled his own head space. Because that can be pretty daunting.”
The Rays recalled Mason Englert, who had won the final bullpen spot out of spring training, then was sent down in early May
In 11 games for the Rays, Englert had a 6.00 ERA, allowing 12 earned runs over 18 innings, with a concerning 23 hits. He struck out 18 and walked only four.
“(He) did some good things before he was on option,” Cash said. “I think it’s obvious we probably needed some coverage after the way we’ve used the bullpen the last few days.”
Rehab report
Infielder/outfielder Richie Palacios, who has played just one game between a spring broken finger and a right knee sprain, started a rehab assignment Tuesday with the Florida Complex League team, going 1-for-4 and playing leftfield. … Infielder Ha-Seong Kim (right shoulder surgery recovery) went into play for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday hitting .206 overall through 10 games, though 5-for-his-last 11. His 20-day rehab assignment is slated to end Saturday.
About Monday night
While there was plenty of drama and excitement in Monday’s 10-8, 11-inning win that took nearly four hours, there were also some ugly numbers: 23 men left on base, 15 walks, four errors, three batters hit by pitches and a botched pop fly that led to a weird infield fly ruling. … It was the Rays’ first time scoring 10 or more runs with two or fewer extra-base hits since Aug. 12, 2019, at San Diego.
Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene
Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter
We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Explore all your optionsMiscellany
The Rays went into play Tuesday with four of their last five games decided in the final at-bat. Their 11 last at-bat wins are tied with the Mariners for third in the majors. … There was a 28-degree difference between the first pitch of Sunday’s game in Tampa (89) and Monday’s in Boston (61).
• • •
Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.