Good morning from the Port

Posted Mar 3, 2009 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Mar 3, 2009 at 10:46 AM

PORT CHARLOTTE—Greetings everyone. Nice to be back here at Rays World Headquarters. Here’s the lineup for today, with Jeff Niemann slated to toss about three innings against Brandon Backe and the Astros. Behind him will be a pair of newly minted corner infielders. Adam Kennedy hasn’t played third in a regulation game and Ben Zobrist hasn’t broken out his first baseman’s mitt since last spring training. 

Jason Bartlett SS
Carl Crawford LF
Ben Zobrist 1B
Pat Burrell DH
Gabe Kapler RF
Dioner Navarro C
Adam Kennedy 3B
Ray Sadler CF
Reid Brignac 2B
Jeff Niemann P

Updating with the Astros’ lineup, a group that includes Darin Erstad. That will bring a smile to Joe Maddon’s face, as Erstad is a longtime favorite of the skipper’s from their days with the Angels.

Michael Bourn CF
Edwin Maysonet SS
Darin Erstad RF
Jason Michaels LF
David Newhan DH
Chris Johnson 3B
Jason Smith 2B
Mark Saccomanno 1B
J.R. Towles C
Brandon Backe P

Updating, 10:45 Forgot to mention, Brandon High product Danny Graves is on the Astros’ travel squad today. Graves hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since early 2006 and has bounced around through the minors and independent ball the last couple of seasons.

Also, Maddon said Carlos Pena already is penciled into the lineup to start Friday in Bradenton. Maddon was far more vague about Matt Joyce’s status, saying only that he seems to be getting better, but he did say Joyce definitely will not be ready by Friday.