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Travis Lee was activated from the
disabled list on Friday and Chris Singleton was
designated for assignment, meaning that the Devil
Rays have 10 days to trade or release Singleton, or
place him on waivers.
Lee had been on the DL with a strained right groin
since May 2 after coming up lame following a slide
into second base at Baltimore.
The move indicates a preference for Damon Hollins,
who was brought up from Triple-A Durham when Lee
went on the DL.
"It wasn't an easy decision for the organization,"
said manager Lou Piniella. "Actually, Chris did a
nice job. ... It wasn't an easy decision."
According to Piniella, the deciding factor was the
fact that Hollins has been playing well in
the outfield and hitting well -- he has a .302
average with two home runs and seven RBIs in 16
games -- and that Alex Sanchez also has been
hitting.
Piniella has been impressed by Hollins' work
ethic and hard-nosed style of play. He also
appreciates the special nature of a having a
30-year-old rookie reach his goal.
"Goes to show you that if you don't lose sight of
your dream and you keep working hard, things can
turn out well," Piniella said.
Singleton, who was hitting .271 in 59 at-bats, was
caught off guard by the move.
"I was really surprised," said Singleton. "I thought
something would happen, but I pretty much thought I
would cruise through it. ... I'm disappointed,
because I really like the guys, and I looked forward
to spending more time with them."
Singleton was a popular player in the clubhouse, and
Hollins could be included among his many
friends.
"I love that guy like a brother," said Hollins
of Singleton. "I've been [the player who gets sent
packing] many a time, so I have some perspective.
You just have to understand it's a business. ...
I've been that guy plenty of times, so I know what
[Singleton] is going through."
Hollins, who was visibly relieved to not be
"that guy" on Friday, said that the good news didn't
mean it was time to relax.
"I've got to keep going," he said. "Keep going
hard."
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