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Longoria Struggling Against Lefties
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Published: April 26, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG - Less than two weeks into his big-league career, just about everything seemingly has come pretty easy for 3B Evan Longoria. There is one exception, though, that has him scratching his head a bit.
To this point, albeit in a very small sample size, Longoria has had some trouble against left-handed pitchers. Entering Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, he was hitless in 12 at-bats against southpaws - a departure from the norm for the 22-year-old.
While Longoria raked against lefties in Montgomery last season, hitting .333 in 153 at-bats as opposed to .286 against right-handers in 227 at-bats, he struggled against lefties in Durham. During his brief stint in Triple-A last summer, he hit .190 against lefties and .308 against righties.
"Usually in the past in my career I've hit lefties really well as a whole," he said. "I think just seeing so many righties every day, it's just something you grow accustomed to.
"And then the guys that are in the big leagues that are left-handers, they're pretty good - they're not just your normal, everyday lefties. They're doing things that you're not used to seeing."
Rays manager Joe Maddon, who has seen Longoria get tied up by fastballs in on his hands and soft breaking balls from lefties, took note of the rookie's work Thursday night. Longoria faced a pair of lefty relievers in the Toronto series finale, collecting a sacrifice fly off Brian Tallet and a double against Jesse Carlson to bump his batting average from nothing to .077 against lefties.
"It's just a matter of time," Longoria said. "I've just got to watch film and face guys more, and once that happens, it'll turn around."
In the meantime, he was hitting .385 against right-handers entering Friday.
"I'll take that," Longoria said. "All day."
FLOYD FEELING GOOD: Two weeks removed from surgery on his right knee, DH Cliff Floyd was all smiles as he made his way around the clubhouse Friday afternoon.
"If I had my choice, I'd be trying to get out there," said Floyd. "It's just a matter of trying to get my feet under me now."
Floyd said he expects to get into some games next week, whether in extended spring training or on a rehab assignment (Vero Beach seems most likely), and he believes he'll be ready to rejoin the Rays by the time they're back from their upcoming three-city road trip May 9.
REHAB WATCH: RHP Al Reyes (shoulder impingement) will begin a scheduled two-game rehab assignment today, pitching an inning for Vero. He'll do the same Monday, and he is expected to rejoin the Rays next Thursday, the first day he is eligible to come off the DL. ... LHP Scott Kazmir threw a bullpen session Friday and will start Monday at Durham before making his season debut May 3 or 4 at Boston. ... IF/OF Ben Zobrist (fractured left thumb) will get the pins removed from his thumb Monday and get some time in extended spring games next week before moving on to a rehab assignment. ... LHP David Price (elbow strain) threw live batting practice at the Naimoli Complex on Friday and reported no problems.
STICKING AROUND: The Rays tried to do 1B Dan Johnson a favor by putting him on waivers immediately after designating him for assignment Wednesday. Any big-league team could have picked him up, allowing him to stay in the majors after he got caught in a roster crunch with the Rays, but there were no takers.
Johnson cleared waivers Friday afternoon and accepted an outright assignment to Durham, leaving open the possibility he could play for the Rays at some point.
"To be able to have it work out this way, we're really pleased about that," Maddon said.
NOTEWORTHY: Slumping Rays 1B Carlos Pena did not start against Tim Wakefield, against whom he was 4-for-26 in his career. ... Red Sox 1B Sean Casey left the game with a right hip flexor strain after scoring in the second inning.
Marc Lancaster
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