After one rehab start, Archer may return Monday
Righty may get stretched out in Majors; Kittredge, Weber promoted among other roster moves
MIAMI -- Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters on Wednesday that Chris Archer could make his next start in the Major Leagues.
Archer (left abdominal strain) pitched well for Class A Advanced Charlotte in his first rehab start Tuesday night, allowing no runs, no hits, a walk and seven strikeouts in a four-inning stint.
"Talked to Arch this morning, he had a really, really good outing obviously by his stat line," Cash said. "He felt good, which is a really good sign for us."
Even though Archer is not fully stretched out, Cash said that the Rays are giving heavy consideration to letting the right-hander finish getting stretched out while pitching in the Majors.
"Let's say it's 65-70 pitches that he can provide, if we go that route, it's 65-70 pretty good pitches in theory," Cash said. " ... If he pitches for us, it will be Monday."
Missed signs
Mallex Smith got lifted from Tuesday night's game when he missed a sign. Cash and Smith both said it wasn't the first time that had happened.
Smith singled in the fourth to put runners at first and third. He then missed the "do not steal" sign and took off for second. Kevin Kiermaier then hit into an inning-ending double play that likely would not have happened had the shortstop not been covering the bag for the steal, as the ball went directly to him. Cash removed Smith from the game at that point.
"He's the manager, his call," Smith said. " ... I wasn't expecting it."
Going forward, Cash said Smith will not have to sit.
"I don't see how we're going to not play him," Cash said.
After talking to reporters prior to the game, Cash headed down the right-field line at Marlins Park to talk to Smith.
Worth noting
• The Rays head to New York to play the Mets over the weekend, which will give Cash a chance to reunite with Mets manager Mickey Callaway. Both were on Terry Francona's Indians staff.
"I can't wait to see Mickey," Cash said. "I really value the times that we played the Indians [after Cash left the Indians] and the back and forth. Hopefully, it will be the same with Mickey. A lot of inside jokes, smiles and smirks. I'll enjoy seeing him."
• Andrew Kittredge was recalled from Triple-A Durham, and Ryan Weber was selected from Durham prior to Wednesday's afternoon contest against the Marlins. Weber told reporters that he got the news around 2:30 a.m. in an unusual manner. His phone was on vibrate, so teammate Forrest Snow had to knock on his apartment door. Weber said he slept another 45 minutes, then hot-footed it to the airport to catch a 7:15 a.m. fight from Durham to Miami, on which Kittredge was also booked.
Kittredge flew first class, while Weber did not. Said Kittredge: "I answered my phone first."
Weber was optioned back to Durham after tossing five innings in the Rays' 3-0 loss to the Marlins.
• The Rays transferred Wilmer Font to the 60-day DL to make room for Weber on the 40-man roster. The club also placed left-hander Vidal Nuno on the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain, and optioned right-hander Austin Pruitt to Triple-A Durham.