Jaime Schultz is excited for an opportunity to prove himself
The righty will be available in Sunday’s game against the Orioles
ST. PETERSBURG — It wasn’t so long ago that Jaime Schultz seemed like he was on the brink of making his big league debut for the Rays. Following the 2017 spring training preseason, Schultz was one of the final cuts, and as far as anyone could tell he was poised to be the next call up for the team.
That was until the unthinkable happened.
First is was a pull in his groin — a chronic injury — that sidelined him for three months. Then, as he was climbing his way back up through the minor leagues, disaster struck a second time: a tear in his right meniscus (a knee injury caused by forceful twisting). Though Schultz played through the pain to end the season, he needed to have surgery for both ailments when the offseason began, further setting back his advancement to the majors.
Schultz will finally be getting the big-league call-up he’s been on the verge of for over a year. After the Rays sent Anthony Banda back to Durham after his dominant outing against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, the corresponding roster move was to bring up Schultz for his first cup of coffee.
“Pretty surprised,” he said with a smile when the press asked how he reacted to the call up. “It’s a culmination of the last two years, and the injuries, being on the brink . . . kind of waiting and waiting, and as soon as it goes out of my mind and I stop focusing on it, it comes out of the blue.”
Schutlz was selected by the Rays in the 14th round of the 2013 draft, and has shown some electric stuff in the minors that clearly makes the Rays see him as a long-term bullpen candidate if he can stay healthy. He’s a fastball/curveball pitcher, but has a changeup he can turn to as well. Ahead of the draft Schultz’s fastball was his crown jewel, grading at 65. He throws it in the mid-90s, but it has touched 99mph in the past.
He’s had his share of struggles in the minors this season, posting a 9.98 ERA in Durham in 16 games. He credits his wife, Alyssa, with helping him keep his head on his shoulders when things aren’t going as he would like. “My wife keeps telling me it’s better to be out there and struggle than to not be out there at all.”
Alyssa, along with Schultz’s parents Kathy and Gary will be among the family members attending Sunday’s game in the hopes of seeing Jaime make his major league debut as the Rays feature their Romo-led bullpen lineup.
Rays manager Kevin Cash was excited to have him back, but cautions he may not quite be in perfect condition yet. “He’s done everything he can to get back. Is he back yet? Probably not. But in fairness to him, I think this is good for him, to get up here. He’s going to help us, he might get into a ballgame today. And it’s also us showing how much we value him.”
Cash also spoke highly of Schultz’s clubhouse presence, “He brings a lot of energy. The guys love having him around.”
As for any lingering concerns about those injuries? “Health is great,” Schultz confirmed. “Just happy to be out there.”
Schultz will be available out of the Rays bullpen on Sunday afternoon.