Rays/MLB

Rays sit oft-troubled Dukes another 30 days

By MARC TOPKIN
Published August 5, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - The Devil Rays decided Friday on a 30-day suspension for prospect Elijah Dukes, and the talented but troubled outfielder accepted it and said he was looking forward to playing in the major leagues next season.

The suspension is retroactive to Tuesday, making it conceivable Dukes could return for the final week of the minor-league season, but Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said the team had not decided if that would happen.

Dukes was set to rejoin Triple-A Durham on Tuesday after a five-game suspension by the International League for refusing to leave the dugout after being ejected from a July 25 game, but the Rays tacked on what was then an indefinite suspension.

They settled on 30 days as a matter of consistency. Dukes has been involved in incidents with a coach, a teammate and his manager this season and already had been suspended 15 games by the Rays, and Friedman said he told the outfielder then that if he caused more problems his next suspension would be twice as long.

"One thing that's important to know in this is that we don't view this one particular incident as anything particularly major," Friedman said. "It's the series of small incidents that we're trying to be proactive and get in front of to ensure that he has a productive major-league career.

"He's 22 years old, and we have seen some improvement. What's important is that he continues to make that improvement and understands that while it may not be one major incident, the series of these small incidents add up over time and that he be extremely cognizant of them and that he puts himself in a position to focus exclusively on baseball."

Agent Scott Pucino said Dukes took the news well and was already looking ahead. "He said, 'The only thing I can do is when I come back try to make the team next year,' " Pucino said.

Dukes, who has returned to his Tampa area home, will be allowed to work out at the Rays' training complex during the suspension. Pucino said Dukes is hoping he gets the chance to play winter ball.

Durham vice president George Habel said Thursday that he would be "disappointed" if the Rays considered sending Dukes back to Durham this season, but the major-league team has the final say in player assignments.

[Last modified August 5, 2006, 02:11:42]