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Navarro Will Get Some Rest

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By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 28, 2008

Updated: 08/28/2008 12:14 am

ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays figure there's nothing wrong with All-Star C Dioner Navarro that some rest shouldn't cure.

Navarro underwent an MRI on Wednesday after cramping hamstrings forced him to leave Tuesday night's game in the sixth inning, and "everything is fine," Manager Joe Maddon said.

Shawn Riggans got the start Wednesday, but Navarro was available if needed in a late-game situation. Maddon indicated Navarro might get an additional day off tonight.

"It must have been a cramp, just like we thought it was initially," Maddon said. "He actually caught one where it was post-cramp, but after that it was getting a little bit sore, so we decided to get him out of there."

Riggans is getting the extra duty after making a costly mistake in a 6-5 loss at Chicago on Sunday, dropping a throw from Ben Zobrist that allowed the tying run to score.

He reiterated Wednesday that he simply dropped the ball when it hit his glove after two bounces.

"I saw it on ESPN when I was watching the highlights and stuff, but to sit there and dwell on it ... for what? It was one play."

Maddon expressed confidence in Riggans, pointing to his 21 RBIs in 111 at-bats and saying he works well with the pitchers, including Wednesday night's starter, Matt Garza.

RIPKEN, RAYS TEAM UP: Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., through his Ripken Baseball enterprise, has joined with the Rays to purchase the minor-league team that plays in Vero Beach.

The as-yet-unnamed team will be moved to Port Charlotte, where the Rays are relocating their spring training, and will begin play next year as Tampa Bay's Class-A affiliate in the Florida State League.

"I know it's a challenge, because the Florida State League has been considered more of a developmental league," Ripken said before throwing out the first pitch Wednesday night.

"Most of the ownership is by the club themselves, and they don't put a whole lot of emphasis on selling tickets and those sorts of things. But there are some successful models. Fort Myers has one, Daytona has won. We aspire to be in their league."

Ripken said his second career is about "giving back" to baseball and that having access to the Rays' facility will allow his company to create youth programs for over-12 players.

"Most kids play up until they're 12, and there's a huge drop-off at 13," he said. "So this facility, with big fields and big diamonds, gives us an opportunity where you can start putting programming in for 13-, 14- and 15-year-olds. We haven't really focused on that a lot yet.

EX-BAT BOY'S TURN: As a former Tampa Bay batboy, Pinellas Park's Jesse Litsch probably would be enjoying the Rays' historic season if not for having to pitch against them tonight.

Litsch, a 23-year-old right-hander, has a 1-2 record and 3.86 ERA in five starts against his hometown team.

"They've got a good ball team over there," Litsch said. "Obviously, they're doing something right because they're winning games. They're a lot of fun, I guess. But I want to beat them.

"It's great that they're winning, but I'm here with an opposing team in the heat of battle."

Litsch worked for the Rays from 2000-02 while attending Dixie Hollins High, first in community relations and then as a bat boy. He expects a strong showing of family and friends tonight.

"I've got a bunch of people coming; I don't really know how many," Litsch said. "I'm leaving six tickets, and they can buy their own, whoever else is coming."

Tony Fabrizio

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