NEW YORK -- Tampa Bay had to make room on its 25-man roster for outfielder Tommy Pham to return from the disabled list, and Jake Faria became the guy to go. Pham returns after missing two weeks with a right foot fracture.
The Rays optioned the right-hander to Triple-A Durham, a move that Rays manager Kevin Cash explained before Thursday's finale vs. the Yankees.
"Obviously, it was a tough decision," Cash said. "Talking to Jake last night, it's been a tough year, a trying year for him. It's not a lost year. And there's things that he can go down there and continue to work on. 
"I think he's made progress his last two outings. But the way we are built right now, we have six guys that we're looking to provide bulk innings to in some capacity, some form or fashion, and I don't thinking trying to do that with six guys is fair to all of them. We had to pick someone."
Cash noted that it will be good to get Faria "in an environment where he can get some work."
"We talked to him about valuing his work days, his side days, and if we have to shave an inning off a game day, we'll do that, because we want him to get after it in his bullpen and side sessions," Cash said.
Cash noted that he told Faria that for two months of the 2017 season he "wasn't just the best pitcher on the team, he could have arguably been the best pitcher in the American League.
"The best starting pitcher, the way he came up and came onto the scene," Cash said. "We have to do everything we can to get him back to that. We're confident this approach will help."
Faria, who's 4-3 with a 4.84 ERA in 13 appearances (11 starts), will start in Durham.
"When he comes back, I envision that he will have bulk innings to work with, whether he will be starting or not [remains to be seen]," Cash said.
Worth noting
• The Rays have received cash considerations from the Phillies to complete the Wilson Ramos trade.
• Mallex Smith and Matt Duffy each entered Thursday's action hitting .297, which means one or both could become the first qualifying Rays player to hit .300 or better in a season since Casey Kotchman (.306) did so in 2011.
• Ryan Yarbrough recorded his 11th win Wednesday night against the Yankees, giving him the most victories in the Major Leagues among rookie pitchers. Rolando Arrojo owns the Rays record for rookie wins with 14 in 1998.