Baldelli still on hold

Posted Aug 5, 2008 by Tribune Sports

Updated Aug 6, 2008 at 11:01 AM

Rocco Baldelli showed up at his locker stall still wearing a mangy beard, an immediate sign that he hadn’t been added to the 25-man roster yet. The outfielder has promised to shave once he’s on the team, partly because his parents hate the look.

The Rays can’t activate him yet because with shortstop Jason Bartlett hurt—but not badly enough to go on the disabled list—they needed an infielder who could play immediately. Figure that when Bartlett returns to the lineup, which could happen for Thursday’s game at Seattle,  Ben Zobrist will be sent back to Class AAA Durham and Baldelli, who will be used part-time in right field, will get a spot. But that’s only an educated guess.

Here are tonight’s lineups:

INDIANS
Sizemore CF
Dellucci DH
Shoppach C
Peralta SS
Choo CF
Garko 1B
Guttierrez RF
Marte 3B
Cabrera 2B
(Carmona RHP)

RAYS
Iwamura 2B
Upton CF
Pena 1B
Longoria 3B
Hinske LF
Floyd DH
Navarro C
Gross RF
Zobrist SS
(Jackson RHP)