Longoria OK to pinch hit

Posted Jun 4, 2009 by Tribune Sports

Updated Jun 4, 2009 at 12:54 PM

ST. PETERSBURG—Third baseman Evan Longoria pronounced himself fit for pinch-hitting duty in today’s 4:10 p.m. series finale against the Royals, and he thinks he’s only a day or two away from returning to the lineup. He’ll miss a second consecutive start after straining his left hamstring in the sixth inning Tuesday night.

“The running is still probably a day or two away as far as getting up to full speed, but I told Joe [Maddon] I’m available to pinch-hit if he needs me today, Longoria said. “Just a double will be a single for a day or two. Other than that, I feel pretty good. I feel a lot more confident than I did yesterday.”

Matt Joyce gets another start today, and Joe Dillon gets the nod at DH. Here’s the full lineup:

B.J. Upton, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
Willy Aybar, 3B
Carlos Pena, 1B
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Matt Joyce, RF
Joe Dillon, DH
Michel Hernandez, C
Reid Brignac, SS
—
James Shields, RHP