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Roger Mooney

Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.

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Baldelli heading to Durham

Posted Aug 13, 2010 by Roger Mooney

Updated Aug 13, 2010 at 10:29 AM

ROGER MOONEY

The Rays plan to get Rocco Baldelli back to the major leagues ran through this week.

“I stick with the program,” Baldelli said last Saturday. “After that I don’t know what’s next.”

What’s next is a stint with the Triple A Durham Bulls.

Baldelli learned that Thursday. The right-handed hitting outfielder with a throwing (right) shoulder that’s less than 100 percent, is now one step away from joining the Rays, which is expected to happen once the rosters expand to 40 on Sept. 1. The Rays could add him by the Aug. 31 postseason eligibility deadline to make him eligible for the postseason.

Baldelli injured his right shoulder while making a throw in May 2009 when he was a member of the Red Sox. He said the shoulder probably required surgery, but he opted for rest and hoped “something magical would happen.”

Baldelli said his shoulder will limit him to one good throw a game. But the Rays are more interested in his bat.

Baldelli hit .283 in 12 games with the Class A Charlotte Stone Crabs. He was 3-for-4 in Thursday’s win and played in back-to-back games for the first time this week.

He said his legs are no longer the issue they were in 2008.

“I’m not going to do anything that might impact me getting on the field the following day,” he said.

As for helping the Rays during the playoff push as a right-handed DH and a backup outfielder, Baldelli said, “I’ll do anything I’m asked. That’s been my approach my whole career, and I’ll stick with it.”