Geremi

Gonzalez

Gonzalez allowed one run in 13 innings for Triple-A Durham last week. He struck out a season-high nine vs. one walk in his most recent start. He’ll face the Orioles on Saturday, so he could be worth a flyer for an AL-only owner desperate for pitching.

Gonzalez and Damian Rolls are the only Rays eligible for arbitration. Neither one will get a multiyear deal.

Gonzalez has been awful through his first three starts with a 9.31 ERA, 1.96 WHIP, and 4/7 k/bb in 15.1 innings. The Rays could move to a rotation of Victor Zambrano, Paul Abbott, Mark Hendrickson, and Doug Waechter, with Damian Moss or Jorge Sosa filling the fifth spot.

Gonzalez is a great story. He’s allowed five hits or less in two-thirds of his starts this season. The American League is hitting just .202 off him.

Gonzalez has a 6.07 ERA in 13 1/3 innings since being sent down.

Last Friday, Gonzalez gave up six runs and nine hits in five innings in a loss to Atlanta. Then Thursday against Boston, he gave up three homers and four runs in five innings. This after allowing three runs or fewer in seven of his first eight games. Manager Lou Piniella wonders if Gonzalez’s arm is tired, but before he does anything hasty, he should consider two words: Atlanta and Boston.

Gonzalez is one of several Rays pitchers who are candidates to be dealt at the trade deadline. AL-only league owners shouldn’t get too attached to him.

Starter Zach Jackson was out early, so Gonzalez was given an extended outing.

Gonzalez had a cortisone shot in the arm on Thursday which seemed to fix the problem. He is a candidate to start Wednesday’s game against Cincinnati.

Darren Oliver was a possibility to start the game, but he pitched four innings during Tuesday’s 16-inning game. Pedro Martinez will start Friday’s game against the Marlins.