Brian

Stokes

Stokes hadn’t pitched since June 25. He’s 2-4 with a 3.75 ERA in 11 starts for Montgomery.

The Rays still hope to get Stokes another start or two before the end of the year, but this news hurts his value.

Stokes, who was acquired from the Mets in January, has a 7.31 ERA and 15/16 K/BB ratio over 16 innings this season.

Stokes was placed on the 15-day disabled list in mid-May and is eligible to return later this week. He had a 7.31 ERA and a 15/16 K/BB ratio in 16 innings before the injury. Maybe the rest has done him some good.

Every other team in baseball announces these types of signings all at once. Not the Rays, though. Stokes was added to the 40-man roster after last season despite missing 2004 following Tommy John surgery. He doesn’t figure to play a significant role this season.

He has a 3.57 ERA in 17 2/3 IP. Stokes, who missed 2004 following Tommy John surgery, went 4-6 with a 3.47 ERA for Double-A Montgomery last season. He’s very likely to spend time in the Tampa Bay rotation in 2006, though he should report to Triple-A for at least the first month or two.

He started the third innings after Braves prospect Paul Bush was knocked out early. Stokes has a 2.78 ERA in two starts and four relief appearances in the AFL.

Stokes ended up being charged with two runs, combining with Shawn Camp to turn a two-run lead into a one-run deficit. It’s still hard to see why Stokes was handed such a crucial role in the bulpen. He was mediocre in the spring, and he’s now given up 32 hits and five homers in 19 2/3 innings this season. He should be in Triple-A.

Stokes gave up 12 runs -- nine earned -- in 12 1/3 innings to get booted from the rotation after three starts. If he makes the Rays next spring, it will be as a reliever. Amazingly, he spent all of 2007 in the majors despite a 7.07 ERA in 59 appearances.

Stokes went 2-7 with a 7.07 ERA in 62 1/3 innings last season, so we’re guessing this won’t be enough to make Billy Wagner a happy camper. He’ll battle for one of the final spots in the Mets’ pen next spring. It’s possible he’ll prove to be a capable middle man, but there’s little upside here.