ST. PETERSBURG -- Prior to Thursday's game against the Angels, the Rays activated right-hander Tommy Hunter (right calf strain) from the disabled list. Right-hander Jumbo Diaz was placed on the 10-day DL with right arm fatigue.
"Tommy, he can pitch in the sixth, he can pitch in the eighth, variety of roles," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "You know when you get Tommy on the mound, he's not concerned about who he's attacking or who's in the box."
Hunter pitched the ninth inning of the Rays' 4-0 win on Thursday, allowing one walk and no runs to lower his ERA to 0.96.
Hunter told reporters the injury is "something I hope we can look at as being in the past."
"Get out there and help contribute to the team instead of being a cheerleader like I've been the last couple of weeks," said Hunter, who noted that he has continued to throw throughout his stint on the DL.
Diaz is 0-3 with a 5.49 ERA in 21 appearances.
"He just wasn't recovering," Cash said. "You know, he'd throw, and kind of going through that dead-arm phase. We're not overly concerned, but it just seemed with how much we're asking from our bullpen that if he pitches and can't go for two days, that's not ideal for a guy who pitches from the 'pen. Hopefully with some rest, we'll see him back here soon."
Meanwhile, Brad Boxberger (right flexor strain) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday. If that goes well, he'll head to Port Charlotte to throw live batting practice on Monday. Provided that goes well, he'll progress to another live batting practice session on Thursday.
Catcher Wilson Ramos (recovery from torn ACL) will catch Boxberger in both batting practice sessions.
Facing Boxberger in batting practice will be Matt Duffy (recovery from left Achilles surgery) and Brad Miller (left abdominal strain).
Duffy, Miller, and Ramos will likely see action in extended spring camp games while in Port Charlotte.