ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays recalled first baseman/outfielder Ji-Man Choi from Triple-A Durham and optioned outfielder Johnny Field to Durham prior to Tuesday's game against the Tigers at Tropicana Field.
"Ji-Man Choi, he's a guy that we've talked about," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Even when he was with the Yankees, and then I believe with the Angels, [he's] a guy that's hit. He's got a track record of really handling right-handed pitching.
"He's going to hit for us. And he's going to DH a lot. He might play some first base, might kick Jake Bauers out to the oufield here and there. It's just going to be another one of those try to be really healthy positioning where we're getting everybody active, getting everybody on their feet, getting everybody playing."
Choi was acquired from the Brewers for Brad Miller on June 10 and has posted a strong batting line this season at the Triple-A level. In 62 games between Durham and the Brewers' affiliate in Colorado Springs, he batted .291/.410/.458 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs.
Choi hit .233 (7-for-30) with two home runs, two doubles and a .781 OPS in 12 games for the Brewers this season. The 27-year-old is a career .191 hitter with nine homers in 72 games over parts of three seasons with the Yankees, Angels and Brewers.
Field was drafted by the Rays in the fifth round of the 2013 Draft. The 26-year-old was promoted to the Major Leagues in mid-April. He hit .213/.253/.373 with six home runs, nine doubles, 14 RBIs and four stolen bases in 62 games for Tampa Bay.