Jeff Keppinger Hits Restricted List; Rays Recall Brandon Guyer

Jeff Keppinger has been placed on the Tampa Bay Rays restricted list due to what the team is calling a personal matter.  The Rays don’t expect Keppinger to miss much time; likely only a day or two.  According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Keppinger’s placement on the Rays restricted list is related to his ongoing divorce case.  To replace Keppinger on their roster, the Rays have recalled outfielder Brandon Guyer.

After signing with the Rays last winter, Keppinger has gone on to appear in 22 of the team’s 30 games.  Keppinger has made a majority of his appearances at second for the Rays, but the 32-year-old has also filled in at third and DH for the Rays.

Keppinger has been productive over his first 64 at-bats as a Ray.  During this span, Keppinger has maintained a line of .313/.338/.453 with two home runs, three doubles and seven RBIs.

If Guyer gets in a game during what is expected to be his short stint with the Rays, it will mark his 2012 debut.  The 26-year-old made his professional debut last season with the Rays.  Over his first 14 games and 41 at-bats with the Rays, Guyer only mustered an OPS of .580.

Guyer has spent six seasons in the minors playing for affiliates of the Rays and Chicago Cubs, the team that drafted him.  During his time in the minors, Guyer has hit at a clip of .297/.360/.476.

Guyer’s gotten off to a good start in Triple-A this season following his impressive 2011 season with the Durham Bulls.  Last year Guyer posted an OPS of .905 with 14 home runs and 29 doubles for the Bulls.

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