The Tampa Bay Rays purchased the contracts from Triple-A Durham players right handed pitcher Wade Davis, and Dale Thayer.  They also purchsed the contract from Double-A Montgomery left handed pitcher Jacob McGee.  All they will have a chance to compete in spring training.

Tampa Bay Rays right handed pitcher Chad Orvella was activated from the 60-day disabled list Sunda7. He will compete for a bullpen spot during spring training.

On November 3rd the Tampa Bay Rays declined to pickup 2009 options for designated hitter Cliff Floyd and left handed pitcher Trever Miller.

Catch Michel Hernandez was sent outright to Triple-A.

The Tampa Bay Rays continued to beat the odds this week. The Rays opened a three game series against the Boston Red Sox with a loss earlier this week. Dropping their division lead to only a game. With their backs against the wall, the Rays pulled out a a win Tuesday with a late inning home run from Dioner Navarro, and a route of Tim Wakefield in game three to regain a two game lead in the division. The magic number has never meant more in Rays history. Currently the number stands at three to make the playoffs and ten to win the division.

As the regular season begins to wind down, the Rays have 12 games remaining in the next 11 days. They will finish off their final home stand this weekend against the Minnessota Twins, then travel to Baltimore to faces the Orioles in a four game series with a double header on Tuesday. They will then travel to Detroit to finish off the season with a four game series versus the Tigers.

Lets take a look around the internet at the latest Tampa Bay Rays news:

• The 2009 regular season schedule was released today. The Rays will be tested during the first month of the season, as they open up with 15 of the first 22 games away from Tropicana Field. The first two series will be played on the road at Fenway and the new Yankee Stadium, respectively. Then they will return home to the Trop for their first home series vs the Chicago White Sox.
• Fernando Perez is sporting a mohawk hair due. As he told mlb.com, “this is his fourth.” B.J. Upton, who hasn’t played since early September with a quad injury, has also decided to go with a mohawk.. who’s next?
• Former wrestler Hulk Hogan was spotted at a Rays game recently with his new girl friend Jennifer McDaniel. Hogan was wearing a sleeveless Rays jersey, prompting the guys at InGameNow.com to kid: “Apparently those nasty, armless jerseys were made for Hulk Hogan..?”

So as we turn down the final stretch to the playoffs, stay tuned for the latest Rays news and rumors.