Asdrubal Cabrera named Rays starting shortstop

The Rays have named Asdrubal Cabrera their starting shortstop.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash saysAsdrubal Cabrera has won the team’s starting shortstop job because “he makes the everyday play."

Cabrera spent last season with the Washington Nationals and the Cleveland Indians, where he spent the first seven-plus seasons of his career before he was dealt at the 2014 trading deadline.

He signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Rays in January, after making $10 million in his last season of salary arbitration.

Cabrera played 93 games at shortstop last season and started 48 game at second base after the trade to Washington.

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Cash told the Tampa Bay Times that the second base position will be a rotation between Nick Franklin and Logan Forsythe, with Tim Beckham, Jake Elmore, Alexi Casilla also having a chance to earn playing time.

Cabrera hit .241 with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs in 146 games last season.

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