Associated Press 18y

Devil Rays still deciding whether to call up Young

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are still discussing whether troubled outfielder Delmon Young will be among the minor league players called up when rosters are expanded Sept. 1.

Young was suspended for 50 games without pay by the International League in May for throwing a bat that hit a replacement umpire.

"Do I expect it? I don't know," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said before Thursday night's game against Toronto. "We're still talking about it. Relatively soon we'll make up our mind on that. He's being discussed, yes."

Young, the first overall pick in the 2003 amateur draft, hit the umpire in the chest on April 26 while playing for Triple-A Durham. He was hitting .323 with seven homers and 53 RBI in 75 games this season with Durham through Wednesday.

"There's no doubt he's going to be a very good major league player," Maddon said. "You could see it in spring training. The first time I saw him, I said, there's a young man with tremendous ability. We just want to make sure, like I said before, that everybody understands the Ray way of doing things. Contribute to the group, and want to be part of the group."

Tampa Bay could call up six to 10 players from its minor league system next month. A majority will likely be pitchers.

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