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Zobrist To Fill Void In Infield

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 25, 2008

MIAMI - Today will be eventful for the Rays' double-play combination.

SS Jason Bartlett will board an early morning flight back to Tampa and drive to a hospital in St. Petersburg to be with his wife, Kelly. The couple is planning to induce labor and welcome their first child today.

"I'll just go straight to the hospital when I land, and who knows - it could take all day," Bartlett said.

Ben Zobrist, who rejoined the team Tuesday after being recalled from Durham, will start at shortstop the next two games. If all goes well, Bartlett plans to rejoin the Rays on Friday in Pittsburgh; he has a plane ticket ready and waiting.

That could be perfect timing, as the team is guessing 2B Akinori Iwamura will begin his suspension that day.

Iwamura is appealing the three-game ban he incurred for his actions in the Rays' June 5 brawl with the Red Sox and will have his hearing at noon today. It initially was supposed to take place at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, but it had to be moved back because of scheduling issues with the parties involved. The hearing will take place via teleconference or videoconference, and Iwamura is hoping to get his penalty reduced.

The Rays would prefer not to be without both of their starting middle infielders at the same time, so they're hoping the timing works out. Once again Tuesday night, Bartlett entrusted his cell phone to Iwamura's interpreter, Tateki "Bori" Uchibori, during the game.

"I've been having Bori check my phone or actually hold onto it and let me know if anything happens," Bartlett said.

He said the three hours or so he spends playing is about the only time his mind isn't on his wife these days.

"I think about that all day," Bartlett said. "I check my phone a lot, just to make sure everything's OK. When the game's going on, I think about the game, and as soon as I get back in the clubhouse I think about that."

JUST IN TIME: The Rays made Zobrist pass one final test under the watchful eye of senior vice president Gerry Hunsicker on Monday night before bringing him back to the majors.

Zobrist played shortstop for Durham in only his third game since returning from a stint on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. Zobrist was hurt June 2 in his first game with the Bulls after being optioned to Triple-A.

The Rays likely would have preferred he get in a few more games before returning, but Iwamura and Bartlett forced their hand and Zobrist is here now after passing his final test Monday with Hunsicker watching.

"I feel good," he said. "I feel like my timing's pretty good, even though I haven't swung a whole lot. My shoulder's feeling healthy and I'm ready to play shortstop or whatever when Bartlett has to go be with his wife and baby. Wherever I can fill in, I'm ready to help."

GO TEAM: Rays RHP Matt Garza has spent the last couple of days cheering on his old team, Fresno State, in the College World Series finals against Georgia. Fresno never even made it to an NCAA regional during Garza's career, but he's enjoying watching the Bulldogs make the run they have.

"They're the Cinderella story," he said.

REHAB WATCH: Rocco Baldelli originally was slated to start at DH for Vero Beach on Tuesday but will start today's game instead, as Clearwater is scheduled to start a left-hander. Once that change was made, the plan was for Baldelli to pinch-hit Tuesday, but a lineup card discrepancy kept him from doing so. Baldelli is supposed to alternate DH and pinch-hitting duties the rest of the week.

FARM FACTS: Montgomery LHP Jake McGee, one of the organization's top prospects, went on the disabled list Tuesday with a left elbow strain. He left his start Sunday after two innings complaining of forearm soreness.

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