Josh

Lueke

Lueke was crushed for four runs on six hits in Friday’s loss to the Red Sox and will carry a 27.00 ERA back to the minor leagues. The Rays are expected to announce a corresponding roster move on Saturday.

Lueke, who was acquired from the Mariners in November in the John Jaso deal, gave up five runs on nine hits over 8 1/3 innings (5.40 ERA) this spring. The 27-year-old right-hander struggled in his first taste of the majors last year, but figures to get another shot before long.

Lueke will serve as a middle reliever in the Tampa Bay bullpen while Kyle Farnsworth recovers from his elbow strain. He could be up in the majors for over a month.

The right-hander was acquired from the Rangers in 2010 in the Cliff Lee deal. He’ll turn 27 on December 5. Lueke posted a 6.06 ERA with a 8.0/3.6 K/BB/9 for the Mariners this season. He’s been much better in the minors, posting a 2.56 ERA over 42 career Triple-A games. There are some PR headaches associated with Lueke’s past, obviously. He was charged with rape and sodomy in a May 2008 incident and served 42 days in jail. He’ll compete for a middle relief role in Tampa.

He’ll take the place of the injured Jeff Niemann (fractured fibula) on the active roster. Lueke has allowed seven runs over 2 1/3 innings at the big league level this season and he hasn’t fared much better at the Triple-A level, posting an 8.10 ERA and 11/7 K/BB ratio over 13 1/3 innings.

He’ll take Jeff Niemann’s spot on the active roster, at least until the Rays need another starter this weekend. Lueke was blasted for seven runs over 2 1/3 innings in his first stint with the big club earlier this season. Look for him in middle relief.

Lueke didn’t appear in any games in the couple days he was up with the big club. The Rays will call up a position player prior to Friday’s game.

He was sent down to make room for Alex Cobb, who will be called up to start Saturday. Lueke was just recalled from the minors on Tuesday and tossed a scoreless inning in his lone appearance Friday against the Braves.

Lueke was added to the bullpen Tuesday after the Rays played 15 innings on Monday night. The 27-year-old right-hander has allowed seven runs on nine hits and three walks over just 3 1/3 innings at the major league level this season.

Lueke got knocked around in his short time with the Rays this season but boasted a 71/17 K/BB ratio over 67 2/3 innings at Triple-A. He’ll compete for a job in the pen next spring.