KANSAS CITY -- The energizer outfielder is back.
Chandler Simpson, who made a splash with his speed earlier this season for the Rays, was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday and was in the lineup, going 0-for-4 as Tampa Bay began a three-game series against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium with a 5-1 win. The Rays optioned outfielder Kameron Misner to Durham, making room for Simpson.
Simpson, the Rays' No. 7 prospect, was in center field and batting ninth for the series opener. He was hitting .285 with 19 stolen bases when the Rays sent him down on May 30, primarily to work on his defense. Simpson hit .366 in 16 games for the Bulls in June and had 11 steals while impressing Rays’ officials with the work he did on defense and offense.
Manager Kevin Cash said Simpson will play predominantly in center field for the foreseeable future.
“There’s a lot of excitement,” Simpson said when asked about his emotions as he returned to the Rays. “I saw the team was doing really well, so I have a job to contribute to the winning.”
Simpson was in Omaha, Neb., with the Bulls on Sunday and made a diving catch to save the game for Durham. Shortly thereafter, he learned he would be making a short trip to Kansas City to join the Rays.
“That was a good little reward,” Simpson said.
Besides working on his outfield defense, Simpson used his Triple-A stint to show patience at the plate.
“Really, it’s just knowing the situation of the game,” Simpson said. “Work a couple of walks in there. Just locking in on every pitch and doing everything I could to get on base.”
The Rays appreciated the positive attitude that Simpson showed when he was sent down at the end of May.
“With Chandler, he has been a man on a mission with what he is doing in the box and defensively,” Cash said. “Chandler went right to work.”
The Rays are hopeful that Misner will use his time at Triple-A to get himself in a good place offensively.
“Just felt like it was a good time for Misner to get down there and get his swing going a little bit,” Cash said.