ST. PETERSBURG -- Prior to Sunday's game with the A's, the Rays optioned right-hander Ryne Stanek to Triple-A Durham and activated right-hander Jumbo Diaz from the disabled list.
Stanek is 0-0 with a 5.59 ERA in 11 games for the Rays this season.
Rays manager Kevin Cash cited controlling the count as a facet of pitching Stanek needs to work on while at Durham.
"I think count-control is a big separator for a lot of guys," Cash said. "That was the big message that we gave [Stanek]. There's a big difference between working ahead and behind at this level.