Erik Bedard’s Demotion Ends Important Tampa Bay Rays Tenure

Jul 3, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Erik Bedard (40) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Erik Bedard was designated for assignment today so that Joel Peralta could re-join the big league roster and with it likely ends his short, but important, tenure with the Rays.

Bedard will now head to AAA Durham after being used sparingly in July.

But early on in the season, Bedard made a crucial number of starts.

He made 15 starts this season for Tampa Bay due to injuries to key starters such as Alex Cobb, Matt Moore and Jeremy Hellickson.

However, Bedard moved to the bullpen once Hellickson returned to the rotation and has seen limited action since.

He’s pitched in two games throwing just three innings but allowed six runs and 10 hits.

This season he is 4-6 with a 4.76 ERA.

However, with the Rays now on a role, and their starting pitching rotation healthy (Moore aside), there’s no need for Bedard anymore.

David Price, Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, Cobb and Hellickson are the Rays’ five guys now. Since Bedard is a starter (he’s made just 11 relief appearances in 241 career games) there was no need for him to take up a roster spot in the bullpen.

It just so happens that now with Peralta back, it was best to send Bedard down.

So will we see him again?

It’s possible, of course. If the Rays suffer an injury to a starter he could come back up. However, he’ll spend the rest of the season in Durham but could come back to the major leagues when rosters expand in September.

Bedard pitched admirably at a time when the Rays really needed him to. But now, there was no need to keep the Canadian in the big leagues any longer.