ST. PETERSBURG — Catcher Mike Zunino, out since May 9 with a left quad strain, was reinstated by the Rays on Friday. Erik Kratz, who was acquired from the Giants in a trade on May 16, was designated for assignment.
The Rays were desperate for catchers earlier in May when Zunino, Michael Perez (oblique strain) and Anthony Bemboom (knee sprain) all went on the injured list within 10 days of each other.
The Rays first acquired Travis d’Arnaud from the Dodgers, then Kratz from the Giants a week later. With Nick Ciuffo at Triple-A Durham, the Rays had six catchers on the 40-man roster.