Jennings could play today

Posted Mar 6, 2010 by Roger Mooney

Updated Mar 6, 2010 at 11:19 AM

By ROGER MOONEY

PORT CHARLOTTE Desmond Jennings took batting practice before today’s game with the Red Sox and might actually get on the field.

The rookie outfielder was hit by a pitch just above the left elbow against the Orioles Wednesday in Sarasota and was shutdown after the arm began to swell.

“He’s feeling pretty good,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “He’s back to hitting right now.”

Jennings is on the travel roster for Sunday’s game against the Phillies in Clearwater.

“He may be able to actually participate today,” Maddon said. “We’ll see after the BP stuff.”

Injury updates:
Maddon said INF Willy Aybar sprained left wrist is progressing ahead of schedule.

“(Trainer )Ronnie (Porterfield) just told me that he’s advancing pretty quickly right now, that he may move up his schedule a bit. (Porterfield) felt pretty good about him today,” Maddon said.

Aybar is still a week away from getting in a game.

Maddon didn’t have an update on LHP R.J. Swindell (oblique strain).

“We’ll see, because that one is an unfortunate one,” Maddon said. “We have to wait and see on something like that. He was throwing the ball well. He was throwing strikes (Friday). I love what he was doing and all of a sudden, boom. It’s unfortunate.”