Season notes

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The Devil Rays needed a backup catcher, so they signed Charles Johnson

[Durango53]

When Garrett Atkins returns this week, he likely won't be returning to his normal second spot in the batting order. Clint Barmes has stolen that spot and has done nothing to lose it, as one of baseball's hottest hitters this season. "Garrett might eventually hit second, but not when he comes back," manager Clint Hurdle said.

[Durango53]

Jay Witasick was brought up Thursday by the Colorado Rockies, who optioned right-handers Scott Dohmann and Ryan Speier to Triple-A Colorado Springs and activated outfielder Dustan Mohr from the disabled list.

Witasick, a 32-year-old right-hander, was released by the Baltimore organization on April 7 and signed a minor league contract with the Rockies two days later. He is 29-36 with a 4.72 ERA and four saves in 56 starts and 233 relief appearances during seven major league seasons, and was 0-1 with a 3.21 ERA for San Diego last year.

Dohmann was 0-1 with two blown saves and had an 18.90 ERA in nine appearances, and Speier was 1-1 with a blown save and a 9.82 ERA in 10 appearances. Colorado's bullpen has blown seven of nine chances.

"Fastball command would have been the most glaring issue of Dohmann," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. "Speier's issue was the command of all three pitches especially his slider."

Mohr had completed two games of a scheduled four-game rehab assignment at Colorado Springs. He went on the disabled list April 6 because of a strained left calf.

To add him to the roster, the Rockies purchased Witasick's contract from Colorado Springs.