Struggling Hall, Tyner demoted

Rays try wakeup call for youngsters, bring up Aubrey Huff, Paul Hoover.

By KEVIN KELLY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 29, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- When you're the youngest and least-experienced club in the majors, growing pains are bound to happen.

But could anyone have guessed that by the end of May, Toby Hall and Jason Tyner would be back in Triple A?

The Rays on Tuesday optioned both to Durham and recalled infielder Aubrey Huff, purchased catcher Paul Hoover's contract and designated infielder Wilmy Caceres to make room on the 40-man roster.

"It may seem like a negative situation to send two young players down," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "But this could be the best thing, not only for their careers but for the Devil Rays if they respond and become the players that they're capable of becoming."

Hall, who batted .298 in 49 games last season, had been struggling since spring training.

He was batting .187 with two homers, 16 RBIs and a .244 on-base percentage. Hall sat five games from May 18-23 to work on defensive fundamentals with bullpen coach Glenn Ezell and to heal an injured right thumb and left ankle.

"We're two months into this season," manager Hal McRae said. "This will give him a chance to put his ability into play. I still think he's the guy. I believe that he's going to be a fine major-league catcher and he's going to be a fine major-league hitter.

"It doesn't change my opinion at all."

John Flaherty will start in Hall's absence, meaning Hoover will back up and play about twice a week.

"Oh yeah, I was really surprised," said Hoover, who had a .211 average in 27 games at Durham. "I was shocked when (Durham manager Bill Evers) called. I actually thought it was a wakeup call and I just hung the phone up."

Tyner was batting .214 with seven stolen bases and was hampered by an aching knee in recent weeks. He stole 31 bases last season and hit .280.

"I think he lost a little confidence," LaMar said. "He has to play a certain game. That's hit the ball to the opposite field, hit the ball on the ground, run like (heck), steal bases, be aggressive, be a sparkplug.

"If he's not that, he's destined to an extra outfielder in the major leagues."

Tyner's bobblehead doll was scheduled to be handed out Sunday. The team announced on its Web site that the giveaway has been postponed.

Huff, who was batting .325 at Durham, could see action at first base and third base but started at designated hitter Tuesday.

"I'm coming up here trying to bring that mentality I had in Triple A and continue what I was doing," Huff said.

No timetable has been set for Tyner and Hall to return.

"The players that are successful are the players that can adjust," LaMar said. "I think a couple of things have happened. During the course of last year they get away with doing things one way and the league catches up to them. It's their job to make those adjustments."