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Maddon, Upton: Let's Move On

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By MARC LANCASTER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 17, 2008

ARLINGTON, Texas - If Joe Maddon wanted to make anything clear Saturday, it was that he wasn't mad at B.J. Upton.

In fact, the Rays' manager praised his center fielder at length even as he explained the reasoning behind the latest disciplinary measures he had to impose on Upton for a lack of hustle. Namely, benching him Saturday after pulling him from the game in the sixth inning Friday night.

"Listen, I like the guy a lot," Maddon said. "B.J.'s a wonderful young man, he's going to be a superstar in this league, he's a big part of our organization now and in the future. But, you have to draw the line at some point just to make sure that all the right things do occur in the years to come."

Maddon added that Upton can be a "catalyst" in the Rays' run for the playoffs and beyond, "but we have to work through some moments, some issues right now to get to that point. He listened very well, I listened to him, and we're going to move it along."

Those two and coaches George Hendrick and Dave Martinez met for about 15 minutes Saturday afternoon to discuss the matter, and Upton said he got the message.

"Definitely, I understand where they're coming from," he said. "It's just something that I've got to pay extra attention to."

Upton agreed there is a "happy medium" between sprinting to first base and slacking off that he aspires to find from now on in hopes of avoiding further embarrassment.

He said he isn't worried about the latest benching, especially in conjunction with sitting out a game Aug. 6 for the same reason, creating a negative public perception of how he plays.

"No. I know myself," said Upton. "I play hard every day. I'm sure I'm not the first and not going to be the last guy to deal with this type of thing. It's just time to move on."

Maddon said after Saturday's game Upton will start tonight.

A BREATHER: C Dioner Navarro was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game Saturday, providing his first back-to-back days off all season aside from his stint on the disabled list in April.

Maddon said he wanted to give Navarro some extra rest and originally planned to sit him and play Shawn Riggans the final two games in Texas, but he moved it up a day after Navarro caught 12 innings Thursday afternoon in Oakland.

"I just want to make sure he stays fresh," Maddon said. "He's played a lot, and going to the All-Star Game, etc. ... so I just thought it was wise to give him two days."

Navarro said he had no problem with the decision.

"I need to rest," he said, before adding he feels great.

TIME TO PITCH: LHP Scott Kazmir has been immersed in mechanical adjustments recently in an effort to find a comfort zone on the mound, and he believes he is finally there.

"At the beginning, there was a time when I felt like I needed to really concentrate on my mechanics because they were just so off," he said. "But now it feels like everything is really getting comfortable for me."

As Kazmir makes his 20th start of the season tonight, the Rays are hoping to see the kind of efficiency that has eluded him lately. Kazmir hasn't pitched beyond five innings in his last four starts or seven of his last nine.

"It's going to be kind of fun when he does kick it in," said Maddon, "and hopefully it's going to be tonight."

WITH A VENGEANCE: RHP Juan Salas said his goal upon being sent to Durham once his visa problems wiped out all of spring training was simply to work hard and get another shot with the Rays, and he has it now.

"All I want to do is do my job, and wherever they put me I'm going to do it," he said through an interpreter.

NOTEWORTHY: In Upton's absence, Ben Zobrist got his second career start in center. He also started there the last time Upton was benched.

Marc Lancaster

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