PORT CHARLOTTE — Raya manager Kevin Cash has talked this week about the possibility of adding an extra bench player now that RHP Erasmo Ramirez was moved from the rotation to the bullpen.
Cash floated the idea of carrying three catchers, but that ended Wednesday when Rene Rivera was released. And with 1B James Loney no longer in the picture, that extra bench player could be OF Mikie Mahtook.
Mahtook hit nine home runs and stole four bases in seven attempts in 41 games last season. He would give the team an element of power as a pinch-hitter and a bench player who can be used as a pinch-runner.