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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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Joyce ‘50-50’ for Opening Day

Posted Mar 25, 2010 by Roger Mooney

Updated Mar 25, 2010 at 02:04 PM

ROGER MOONEY

PORT CHARLOTTE Rays manager Joe Maddon said Thursday morning that right fielder Matt Joyce might not be ready to start the season because of a strained right elbow that has prevented him from getting on the field since March 11.

Joyce’s inability to throw a baseball with any authority is still a concern, especially with less than two weeks to Opening Day.

“It is truly 50-50,” Maddon said. “He continues to work on it, he’s able to throw, but he’s not able to throw to game standards, yet. I talked to (athletic trainer Ron Porterfield) about it this morning, it’s not like (Joyce is) awful, but I just don’t know if he’s going to get to that point before the season starts.”

With Joyce possibly out of the outfield picture and INF/DH Hank Blalock possibly heading for a spot on the roster because of a hamstring injury to Willy Aybar, Maddon was asked if DH Pat Burrell could find himself playing the outfield this season.

Burrell has received significant playing time in the outfield this spring, but Maddon said he’s not yet looking at that option during the regular season.

“I still say probably not, but he’s done a nice job out there,” Maddon said. “Pat really throws well. He’s got a good arm. He’s not the fastest guy range-wise, but technically he does a lot things well. The way he stays behind the ball, the way he plays, he understands the game well. I’m gaining a better appreciation for him regarding that just by seeing him out there more. But the plan is still not to use him in the outfield.”