Rays will call up top prospect Blake Snell for Saturday start

The Tampa Bay Rays will reportedly call up top prospect Blake Snell from Triple-A Durham to start against the Yankees on Saturday.

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

The Tampa Bay Rays will call up top prospect Blake Snell from Triple-A Durham to start against the Yankees on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Snell, a 23-year-old lefthander, will fill a need for a fifth starter after Erasmo Ramirez, originally supposed to start the game, was used in relief Thursday Snell is 1–1 with a 2.51 ERA in three starts for Durham, with 21 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.

“Can't have dreamed of a better way [to debut],” Snell told the Times via text. “It's really such an amazing time for me. And I'm really fortunate to be in this situation.”

.@snellzilla11 will be the first pitcher in #Rays history to wear a single-digit uniform number. pic.twitter.com/jJPr87OBLl

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 22, 2016

It is unclear if Snell will remain with the team or return to the minors following his start. The team has several off-days on its upcoming schedule and may not need a fifth starter.