The St. Pete Times’ Joe Smith had this interesting item in his notebook story this morning:

MISCELLANY: Maddon said the first wave of September callups will include 4-5 players, with a third catcher (Dioner Navarro) likely. One intriguing name under consideration is LHP prospect Jake McGee, a former starter who has pitched 12⅔ scoreless relief innings since getting promoted to Triple-A Durham. That includes 20 strikeouts and just one walk.

“I’ve heard nothing but really good things about him,” Maddon said. “I do know that he’s got the kind of stuff that he’s not just limited to getting left-handed hitters out. He’s the kind of guy that can get a good righty out also, which makes him exciting as a left-handed relief pitcher.”

McGee is a hard-throwing lefty with a good fastball and high strikeout numbers (if you are having de ja vu, that is because the Rays promoted another young port-sider into their bullpen in 2008).

He has made 7 straight relief appearances for Durham, the first seven relief appearances of his life. If he can get Major League hitters out during his September audition, he could be join the Rays ‘pen with Grant Balfour and Jeremy Hellickson (who are likely to replace Lance Cormier and Andy Sonnanstine) for the ALDS.