a wanted man

Say this for Dewon Day, the former Madison Central and Jackson State pitcher: He’s got something big league scouts like. The Tampa Bay Rays, your defending American League champs, claimed Day off waivers from the Boston Red Sox on Friday. He’ll likely go to spring training with a chance to make the Rays’ staff. Day is 28 years old and has pitched a grand total of 13 games in the majors, with an 11.25 ERA to show for it. And yet … the Red Sox liked him enough to claim him from the Chicago White Sox at the end of last season. The White Sox liked him enough to snatch him in the 2005 Rule 5 draft from the Toronto Blue Jays, who liked him enough to draft him in the 26th round in 2002 out of Southern University, where he played his senior season. Day stands 6 feet 4, weighs 210, throws right-handed — and throws very hard. He had some success with the Birmingham Barons of the Double-A Southern League the past couple years, and his career minor league ERA is 3.99. He also has fanned more than a batter an inning. That kind of power arm is rare enough to keep Day in the game. Maybe it’ll get him back to the big leagues.