Rays activate righty Wood, option Pruitt
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NEW YORK -- The Rays made a roster move on Saturday morning, activating right-hander Hunter Wood from the injured list and optioning right-hander Austin Pruitt to Triple-A Durham.
Wood was able to compete in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the Yankees in 11 innings. He entered the game in the bottom of the 10th and retired the side. Wood ended up getting the victory after Austin Meadows hit a home run in the top of the 11th inning.
Wood hadn’t pitched in a Major League game since mid-April because of right shoulder soreness. He is expected to be a major part of the Rays’ bullpen, according to manager Kevin Cash.
“Woody had a unique month here. The birth of his child, and he had some ups and downs and having some time off,” Cash said. “His last outing was really encouraging. He pitched one inning and struck out three. I know it was A-ball, but we saw the velocity go up. He is a guy that can do a lot of things. He is pretty versatile. He can give us two or three innings of work, or he can come in and get a out of a big-inning jam for us.”
With the Rays only a half-game ahead of the Yankees in the American League East, Wood said it has been tough not to be on the field and try to help the team win games.
“Every bit of me wants to be out there with [the team],” Wood said. "It was hard to watch. … Getting up and competing is what I want to do.”
As for Pruitt, he was inconsistent on the mound, allowing six runs in 7 1/3 innings.