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Baldelli 'Feels Good' As Rehab Continues

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By BILL WHITEHEAD

Tribune correspondent

Published: June 17, 2008

VERO BEACH - Rocco Baldelli's potential journey back to the bigs began with a solid performance in a Florida State League game Monday night at Holman Stadium.

The former Tampa Bay Rays center fielder served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-3 and drove in two runs in Vero Beach's 7-2 win over Brevard County.

"It always feels good to get out there and be productive," said Baldelli, who slapped a two-run single up the middle in the second inning and had a pair of walks. "To come out here, get on base and get in the flow of the game, it's just a good way to start off."

He is slated to play on Wednesday and Friday this week, all as a DH.

The 26-year-old last appeared in a big-league game against Texas on May 15, 2007. He suffered a hamstring injury that day that sidelined him for the rest of the season.

This year he was diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder, a malady that has resulted in chronic fatigue. The Rays placed him on the 60-day disabled list after refusing to pick up his $6 million option on April 1. The organization must pay him $4 million this year, and he can become a free agent after this season.

"I've dealt with multiple surgeries and had a lot of injuries during my career," he said, "but I don't think I've had anything to compare to what I've been dealing with for the last year and a half. I was probably dealing with it longer than that and didn't know it."

The game also marked the fifth and perhaps final FSL start for pitcher David Price. The prized left-hander could be sent to Double-A Montgomery of the Southern League later in the week.

When asked about his future pitching plans after his five-inning, one-run outing, though, Price said, "I have no idea. No one's said a thing."

Price (3-0) struck out the side in the first after yielding a looping run-scoring single, then fanned the side again and stranded a runner in the third after giving up a leadoff triple.

He has thrown 281/3 innings in his five FSL starts, allowing 23 hits and four earned runs - a 1.27 ERA. He has struck out 30 and walked five.

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