Franklin

Nuñez

Nunez allowed one run and struck out eight in 6 1/3 innings, but he’ll head back to the minors for 10 days since the Rays just had to bring up Scott Kazmir before Sept. 1.

Nunez should be one of manager Lou Piniella’s top middle relievers for the rest of the year.

He pitched very well in Tampa last month and was demoted only because a roster spot was needed for Scott Kazmir. Nunez will likely be used in long relief.

Trying again. The Rays first did this three weeks ago, but MLB voided the move when it was determined Nunez wasn’t ready to return from a strained shoulder. The extra time on the major league roster cost the Rays somewhere in the neighborhood of $30,000.

Nunez had allowed one run in 7 1/3 innings for Durham since returning from the disabled list. One of the game’s hardest throwers, he should be able to help the Tampa Bay pen.

In five innings for the Rays, Nunez allowed six runs, four of them coming in the Yankees’ 13-run inning on Tuesday. He’ll be back.

Nunez allowed one earned run in 10 2/3 innings while striking out 19 for Double-A Montgomery. The former top prospect’s career was interrupted by July 2002 shoulder surgery. He should appear in the Rays’ bullpen at some point this season.

Nunez allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings. If he pitches well out of the bullpen at Triple-A Pawtucket, the Red Sox will try him in middle relief at some point.

Nunez turns 29 this month and he still hasn’t put it together, but because he’s one of the game’s hardest throwers, it’s likely that someone will take a chance on him.

It’s certainly worth a try. Nunez, 29, is one of the hardest throwers around, but he missed time with a strained shoulder last season and didn’t contribute in Tampa Bay. He’ll be stashed away at Triple-A Pawtucket.