The Rays claimed left-handed hitter Dan Johnson off waivers from the Oakland A’s and designated RHP Calvin Medlock for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Another move will have to be made on the 25-man roster when Johnson arrives, when Manager Joe Maddon said might not be until Sunday or Monday but could be Saturday.

Maddon wouldn’t offer any ideas on how Johnson would be used. He’s a 1B/DH, and much could depend on the health of Carlos Pena’s hamstring. The Rays’ slugger came up limp against Minnesota Thursday night and is not in tonight’s lineup, but Maddon was optimistic that Pena would be available to pinch hit if needed tonight and could be available for DH duty Saturday.

Maddon did offer this brief scouting report on Johnson, whom Maddon saw fairly frequently during his days as the Angels’ bench coach: “Kind of a pull hitter. We actually shifted him at one point. He showed a lot of patience. Had power. Pretty good first baseman, also. He was one of the Oakland guys that came up that really would work the count. And then the power started show by his second year. But I remember it was mostly pull at that time.”

Here’s the belated lineup on a pretty busy day out at the Trop. Oh, and for all you Toby Hall fans out there, the White Sox backup catcher says hi.

White Sox
Nick Swisher, CF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Jim Thome, DH
Paul Konerko, 1B
Jermaine Dye, RF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Carlos Quentin, LF
Pablo Ozuna, 3B
Juan Uribe, 2B

Javier Vazquez (2-1), P

Rays
Iwamura, 2B
Crawford, LF
Upton, CF
Hinske, 1B
Longoria, 3B
Gomes, DH
DiFelice, C
Haynes, RF
Bartlett, SS

Niemann (1-0), P