John Rocker has been called up by the Devil Rays. Rocker has never been the same pitcher since leaving the Braves in the the middle of 2001. Rocker had pitched well in Double-A but has only four apperances and four innings under his belt. It seems like a quick and/or panicky move.

This probably signifies that the D-Rays are officially fed up with Lance Carter being the closer. Carter has pitched well at times, but he has also blown 3 saves in 8 chances, including two in his last three appearances. Piniella had said earlier in the week that Carter will now only be used to start an inning and will not pitch more than an inning in any appearance (he pitched 3 and 1.2 innings in those two blown saves).

Sweet Lou may get an itchy trigger finger if Carter continues to struggle and Rocker can look like a reasonable fascimile of his former self.