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Rays Rotate Roster For 1B Johnson

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 21, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays will play their next three games with an extra position player, taking advantage of the calendar as they add newcomer Dan Johnson to their roster.

Needing to clear a spot for the first baseman, who was claimed off waivers from the A's on Friday but didn't fly to Florida until Sunday, the Rays optioned RHP Jeff Niemann back to Durham.

Niemann had been slated to start Thursday's game against the Blue Jays but was expected to be sent back when RHP Matt Garza was activated from the disabled list. Because the Rays have today off, though, RHP Andy Sonnanstine can start Thursday on his normal rest.

With Garza lined up to come back and pitch Friday against the Red Sox, there was nothing left for Niemann to do, so he was sent down Sunday. They'll have to make another move to get Garza on the roster for Friday's game and are expected to send out a position player, with OF Justin Ruggiano the most likely choice.

But there will be another move to make before then. C Dioner Navarro will come off the DL in time for Tuesday's game assuming he comes through one last tune-up as the DH for Vero Beach tonight without any problems.

Following Sunday's game, Mike DiFelice said his goodbyes to teammates and coaches in the clubhouse. He declined to comment to reporters since nothing had officially occurred, but he will be designated for assignment to clear a spot for Navarro, with Shawn Riggans remaining as the backup catcher.

DiFelice hit .300 in seven games and was behind the plate for two of the team's best pitching performances of the season. The Rays hope he clears waivers and heads back to Durham so they can call upon him again later this season, but one of the teams in need of catching help may pluck him off the waiver wire.

As for Niemann, there's a good chance he'll return at some point this year. He had one fantastic start for the Rays and one bad one, returning to Durham with a 1-1 record and 5.79 ERA. He knew his first stint in the majors probably would be short, but he has no doubt he benefited from his week with the Rays.

"I'm going to take away a wealth of information from these seven days I've been up here and go back and really put that to use," said Niemann. "Anyone can tell you, 'You can do it' or 'You need to do this,' but once you get up here and you see it firsthand and you do it firsthand, then you really believe in yourself and that's when you really start trusting yourself and good things start happening."

READY TO ROLL: Garza didn't have terribly positive results in his rehab start for Vero Beach on Sunday, but he got his work in and emerged with no complaints about the way his arm felt.

Garza's return from radial nerve irritation that forced him to leave a start early April 8 has been quick, as he will come off the DL the day after he is eligible to do so. He threw 68 pitches in 3

2/3

innings Sunday against Brevard County and allowed 11 runners to reach base (eight hits, three walks) while surrendering four runs and striking out four.

Navarro, on the mend from lacerations on his right hand, caught the entire game for Vero on Sunday and hit a three-run homer. In three games with the Devil Rays, he's 4-for-7 with five RBIs and six walks and has been hit by pitches twice.

NOTEWORTHY: The Rays say they are expecting attendance for the three-game series at Disney that begins Tuesday to be similar to last year's numbers. Three games against the Rangers last May drew an average of 8,806 fans. ... With Johnson joining the team, Maddon said he may give Carlos Pena another game or two at DH to make sure his right hamstring is fully healthy. Pena still appeared to be favoring his leg Sunday. ... IF/OF Ben Zobrist took batting practice for the first time since fracturing his left thumb but has a ways to go before rejoining the Rays. ... The Rays are not believed to have serious interest in Frank Thomas, who was released by the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Marc Lancaster

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