Rays designated DH Hank Blalock for assignment.

The Rays needed to make a roster move with Gabe Kapler expected to return from the disabled list on Wednesday, so Blalock gets the boot. Blalock batted .254/.319/.349 with one home run and seven RBI in 63 at-bats with the Rays. He'll drum up some interest somewhere, but he's not of much use in the field.

Hank Blalock belted a solo homer and walked twice in the Rays' 10-6 win over the Astros on Sunday.

Blalock started at third base as Evan Longoria was given a day off. He'll play primarily at DH going forward, however, and if he can have more outings like he did today Blalock should establish himself as the club's primary option at the position. He should be owned in AL-only leagues.

Hank Blalock gets his first start as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.

Blalock will play first base as Carlos Pena takes the day off. Blalock is expected to start primarily as the designated hitter, but Willy Aybar will fill that role Sunday.

Rays recalled DH Hank Blalock from Triple-A Durham.

DRaysBay was right on when they broke this story Saturday morning as the Rays have indeed called Blalock up to replace Pat Burrell as the team's DH. Blalock was hitting .349/.405/.505 for Durham, production the Rays would love to get from a spot in the order that simply has not produced for them since Burrell's arrival.

According to the St. Petersburg Times' Marc Topkin, Hank Blalock will join the Rays Saturday, though the team has declined to confirm the report.

The report originated with DRaysBay.com on Saturday morning before Topkin reached out to the team to confirm the story. Blalock does have an opt-out clause in his contract, which could force the team's hand in the next few days. The Rays have not announced this move or made a corresponding move to make room on the roster for him, but it's certainly a situation worth monitoring as it will reach its head soon as the Rays will either call Blalock up or let him become a free agent.

Agent Scott Boras indicated that Hank Blalock would activate the out-clause in his contract sometime within the next week.

The move would force the Rays to either call him up to the majors or allow him to become a free agent. "I would imagine that we'll probably know something about Hank in the next seven days," said Boras. "The time has come. The time has come. He's playing third base, obviously he's hitting well, he's a young guy." Blalock, 29, is currently hitting .375/.435/.552 with four homers and 23 RBI with Triple-A Durham. He didn't drum up much interest as a free agent, but there would likely be a few takes if the Rays cut him loose.

Rays reassigned 1B Hank Blalock to minor league camp.

It took a few days, but Blalock finally realized that accepting the Rays' offer of a minor league assignment was his best bet. The 29-year-old will be the first player called up if there's an injury on the Tampa Bay infield. He hit 25 homers in 462 at-bats last season for the Rangers.

Hank Blalock will accept an assignment to Triple-A Durham, reports the Tampa Tribune.

The 29-year-old corner infielder batted just .234/.277/.459 with the Rangers last season and subsequently drew very little interest on the open market this winter. Signed by the Rays to a minor league deal in March, Blalock swore earlier in the week that he would not accept a minor league assignment by the club after he failed to make the team. Obviously finding out that a major league gig was not out there for him, he changed his mind and will hope for either a scorching start in the minors or a major league injury to return to the bigs.