Upton skipped as Rays add INF

Fernando Cortez gets the call from Triple A to add defense and a left-handed bat to the bench.

By MARC TOPKIN
Published July 5, 2005

CHICAGO - Needing an extra infielder with Alex Gonzalez on the disabled list, the Devil Rays on Monday called up Fernando Cortez, a relatively unheralded minor-leaguer with only 21 games experience above Double A.

By doing so, they added a versatile 23-year-old defender who fills a need for a left-handed hitter off the bench and conceivably can handle a utility role.

But in doing so, they passed over promoting B.J. Upton, a 20-year-old who is considered one of the elite infield prospects in the game. Plus, Upton has extensive Triple-A and some major-league experience and is a good enough hitter that he could boost the Rays' sagging offense.

The decision appears to fall in line with a supposed mandate from ownership, or at least one of the two ownership factions, to not promote the top prospects so their eligibility for arbitration and/or free agency is not accelerated.

Manager Lou Piniella, who last month blasted the new Stu Sternberg-led ownership group for not being committed to winning now, said only: "This is what the organization decided to do."

Upton didn't appear to receive much consideration as the Rays chose between Cortez, a ninth-round pick in 2001, and journeyman minor-leaguer Luis Ordaz.

Gonzalez is expected return after next week's All-Star break, and general manager Chuck LaMar said Cortez would fill the team's need until then.

"I think it's great to be able to give a young player like this the opportunity to play in the major leagues," LaMar said. "We needed another infielder and a left-handed bat, and it's great to have somebody who came through our system, and to continue to be able to give those players a chance."

Cortez, who was not invited to major-league spring training but made a few reserve appearances, hit .333 with no homers and 23 RBIs in 55 games at Double A before his June promotion, then hit .278 with two homers and seven RBIs in 21 games at Durham.

Though Upton has made 29 errors for the Bulls, he is hitting .290 in 85 games with eight homers and 40 RBIs. In 45 games with the Rays last season, he hit .258 with four homers.

[Last modified July 5, 2005, 01:33:21]