Rays' Rene Pinto hopes to get on a roll vs. Angels

Everything the Tampa Bay Rays did -- or didn't do -- during the offseason and spring training made it clear they were all in on catcher Rene Pinto for 2024.

Pinto's slow start at the plate this season might have been some cause for concern, but he appears to be on his way to establishing himself as the club's primary backstop for the foreseeable future.

Pinto likely will be behind the plate Tuesday evening when the Rays host the Los Angeles Angels in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Pinto's two-homer, four-RBI day on Sunday in a win over the San Francisco Giants further endeared himself to manager Kevin Cash and the rest of the Rays' organization.

Anticipating big things from Pinto, 27, the Rays let go of Christian Bethancourt and Francisco Mejia and granted only non-roster invitations at the catching spot for spring training.

Pinto, however, struck out 12 times in his first 25 plate appearances, which resulted in more playing time for backup Ben Rortvedt, who is hitting .320.

Pinto began the season with 54 career major league starts behind the plate but has gained the trust of the pitching staff.

"I saw the growth last year," Rays starter Zach Eflin said. "He came up really quiet, and then all of a sudden, it was like one day it clicked and he was having conversations with guys, he was understanding what he needed to do as a catcher who's going to maybe have some more playing time in the future.

"He's done everything he can to learn us individually -- not just myself, but every single pitcher."

Pinto, who went 0 for 2 with a walk in Monday's 7-3 loss to the Angels, is hitting .250 with an .826 OPS this season.

On the mound, right-hander Aaron Civale (2-1, 2.12 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season for the Rays. He faced the Angels last week in Anaheim, Calif., and earned a victory, going five innings and allowing three runs (two earned) and four hits. He is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three career starts vs. Los Angeles.

Right-hander Jose Soriano (0-2, 6.30 ERA) will make his second start of the season for the Angels, filling in for the injured Chase Silseth.

Soriano started last Wednesday against the Rays and was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs and six hits in four innings in the 4-2 Tampa Bay win. In his first career start after 40 relief appearances, he hit 100 mph on the radar gun and averaged 97.3 mph with his fastball, striking out six without walking a batter.

The Rays, though, were able to make contact and put the ball in play.

"I thought he looked really good," Angels catcher Matt Thaiss said. "Just some really bad luck. (In the first inning), one ball did leave the infield, but three didn't, and they scored three runs. Other than that, I thought (Soriano) was excellent and pounded the zone. I think he'll build on it and become an excellent starter for us."

Soriano is 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA in four career games against Tampa Bay.