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Crawford's Suspension Comes At A 'Good' Time

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 12, 2008

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Given a choice, the Rays obviously would prefer to have LF Carl Crawford in the lineup every day if possible.

But if he has to sit out, and he will for the next four games to serve a suspension handed down by Major League Baseball last week, both the team and the player are pleased he will be doing so at home. It might not be ideal from a marketing standpoint, but from a baseball point of view, anything the Rays can do to minimize the strain Tropicana Field's artificial surface inflicts on Crawford's legs is a good thing.

"We would prefer that happening on our surface, because when he gets on grass fields like this in Anaheim, he has no issues whatsoever," said Manager Joe Maddon. "So it's actually fortunate. He's going to have like an All-Star break right now and possibly another one a couple weeks after that."

Crawford said he has been taking anti-inflammatory medication to help his legs and feels much better now than he did after starting nine straight games on the Rays' last homestand. Crawford and Maddon have talked about having him DH perhaps one game in each homestand in the future.

"He's going to have to now," Crawford said. "I know it's tough, but that 10-day homestand, I didn't really realize the 10-day series would do that to me like that."

SUSPENSIONS, PART 2: Jonny Gomes' five-game suspension came to an end with Wednesday's game. His thoughts on the idle time?

"It's been kind of boring, to tell you the truth," he said. "I'm glad I'm still a player and not a coach."

At least coaches can be in the dugout during games, which Gomes could not during his ban. He spent it in the clubhouse watching on television and getting a different view of the game than he normally sees from the field or from the bench.

Was there any highlight in particular that stuck out to him?

"Probably the back-to-back-to-back homers," he said, referring to Monday night's franchise-first feat. "I wish I could have been there to high-five the boys, but not when you're in the penalty box ..."

SUSPENSIONS, PART 3: RHP James Shields officially dropped his appeal and began his six-game suspension Wednesday.

Maddon said Shields will start the first day he is eligible to do so, a week from today in the Cubs' series finale at Tropicana Field. That will be eight days between starts for Shields, double the usual amount. The pitcher said he plans to throw an extra bullpen session, but that's about it as far as adjustments go.

The Rays won't need a spot starter until RHP Edwin Jackson begins serving his five-game ban after Shields is activated. As the schedule is currently set up, the Rays will need another starter for the June 21 game against the Astros.

FARM FACTS: IF/OF Ben Zobrist managed to play in only one game for Durham after being sent down by the Rays on May 30. Zobrist went on the Bulls' seven-day disabled list last week with a shoulder strain, but the Rays say it is mild and shouldn't be a long-term problem. ... Rocco Baldelli went 0-for-5 Wednesday as the DH in the Rays' final extended spring training game and could head out soon on a minor-league rehab assignment.

NOTEWORTHY: Closer Troy Percival will be activated from the 15-day DL before Friday's game, with either Grant Balfour or Gary Glover likely to go to make room for him. ... Maddon said DH Cliff Floyd "probably" would be back in the lineup Friday after a five-game absence. ... ESPN has picked up Wednesday's Rays-Cubs game and will broadcast it to most of the country. ... No official announcement has come yet, but the Rays have reached agreements with their two draft picks out of Long Beach State: OF Jason Corder (seventh round) and 2B Jason Tweedy (20th).

Marc Lancaster

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