MONTGOMERY, AL - Tampa Bay Rays DH/OF Pat Burrell will join the Biscuits on a Major League rehabilitation assignment beginning on Monday in Birmingham. Burrell, 32, is expected to appear in both Monday's and Tuesday's games as the Biscuits complete their five-game series with the Barons.Burrell, signed by the Rays in the off-season, has been sidelined with a strained neck since May 10th and on the disabled list since May 11th. The first overall pick in the draft in 1998, Burrell has appeared in 30 games with the Rays thus far this season, batting .250 with one home run and 17 RBIs.
He helped the Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Rays in the World Series last season, before departing for Tampa via free agency. He set a career-high with 37 home runs in 2002, while also being named Phillies Player of the Year that season.
Burrell becomes the fourth Ray to rehab with the Biscuits this season, joining a group consisting of RHP Jason Isringhausen, C Shawn Riggans and RHP Chad Bradford. Bradford remains with the club on their current trip to Birmingham.
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