Rays test out 2-way openers
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Rays, who pioneered the pitching strategy of using relievers as openers, are trying another experiment on the mound in the minors — they’re stacking two-way players to start games.
The focus Saturday night at Triple-A Durham was on two-way prospect Brendan McKay pitching against rehabbing Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
McKay entered in the second inning. He followed Jake Cronenworth, an infielder who’s also getting regular work as a pitcher.
“That’s where the game is evolving,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “I know we’re going to continue to explore those options.”
With most major league teams having only three or four position players on the bench, the two-way players could offer greater flexibility.
“It can really help your roster,” Cash said. “If you’ve got these versatile players, there’s a lot of good that can be done with managing the roster.”
After Cronenworth worked a scoreless first, McKay allowed one hit in five innings as the pair held Judge and Stanton hitless in six combined at-bats, with four strikeouts.
McKay is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in four games with Durham. The fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft was hitting just .219 through his first 32 at-bats as a designated hitter but had three homers.
Cronenworth, who has allowed two hits over four scoreless innings in four opener outings, was hitting .357 with seven homers and 33 RBIs.