Of starters and B.J.

Posted Mar 15, 2009 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Mar 15, 2009 at 01:03 PM

PORT CHARLOTTE—Couple of quick notes before we get going today…

The Rays have provided a list of the upcoming starters:

Wednesday vs. Reds: Hammel (w/ Hernandez)
Thursday vs. Cardinals: Kazmir
Friday at Blue Jays: Garza
Saturday at Orioles: Sonnanstine (w/ Price)
Sunday vs. Yankees: Shields

What should we glean from that setup, given that the Rays have said they’re close to narrowing the field of rotation candidates? Well, considering Jeff Niemann isn’t specifically listed, perhaps that’s an indication he may be more in line for a bullpen job, with Hammel set up for the rotation. That would be an interesting move, as I’d say Niemann has been the best of those competing for the fifth spot to this point. But perhaps I’m reading too much into it. Guess we’ll see.

Also, B.J. Upton stood in against some live pitching on the minor-league side this morning, more to get used to tracking full-speed pitches than anything else. He said he only took a few swings and didn’t get a ball out of the infield. There’s still no definitive word on when he’ll see his first game action, though he guessed it might be the last week or two of spring training.

Reader Comments

Por (Mark) on March 15, 2009 (Suggest removal)

The Rays should have traded Niemann and Talbot in the offseason when they still could fool some teams into trading some talent for them. I just don’t see why all the love for Zobrist, he has had one good month in three years, I think he is horrible, as is Gross, would rather see Ruggiano and Kennedy.

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Por (RICH) on March 16, 2009 (Suggest removal)

IF UPTON GOES ON THE [DL] ALONG WITH PEREZ THAT LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN FOR RUGGIANO AND HOW ABOUT RAY SADLER ? HE LEADS THE TEAM WITH 20 [TB]. WE WILL KEEP AN EYE ON THOSE TWO.  TOO BAD WE DID NOT GET A BETTER LOOK AT JOYCE. THE RAYS HAVE COME TO A POINT WERE A GOOD TRADE MAY NOT HELP MUCH WITH THE TALENT LEVEL THEY HAVE.
A FRONT LINE CLOSER IS HARD TO FIND AS IS ANOTHER JOSH HAMILTON OUR GREATEST LOST !

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