Juan

Salas

The Rays are even giving the cheater another chance before trying Seth McClung or Stephen Andrade. Salas had a 3.95 ERA in 13 2/3 innings for Tampa Bay before drawing a 50-game suspension on May 7.

The Rays might option Salas to the minors rather than return him to their bullpen next week. He had a 3.95 ERA in 13 2/3 innings for Tampa Bay prior to the suspension.

The Rays declined to return Salas to their pen with his 50-game PED suspension complete. Depending on how he performs, he might get another chance next month.

Salas got the boot to clear room for Matt Herges on the 40-man roster. Salas was obtained from the Rays for infielder Isaias Velasquez back in February but he didn’t appear in a game at the Triple-A level.

Salas was sent down Sunday in a paperwork move. He had allowed five runs in three innings since being recalled to the majors on Aug. 15.

Salas replaces Troy Percival in the bullpen after going 4-5 with a 2.62 ERA and 53/11 K/BB ratio in 44 2/3 innings at Triple-A. He’s already 29 years old, so there isn’t much long-term upside to be had, but he’s capable of being a solid middle reliever.

It’s a paperwork move. Salas will be back on Tuesday.

The Rays expect him to be fine, but he won’t be available for at least tonight’s game.

Visa problems prevented Salas from making it to camp this spring, so he’ll face a long road back to the majors.

Salas is still stuck in the Dominican Republic, so he’d no longer seem to have a realistic chance of making the Rays.