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Roster Decisions May Come Today

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 24, 2008

SARASOTA - The fate of 3B Evan Longoria and others on the bubble to make the Rays' roster will be determined soon - perhaps today.

The Rays' coaches and front office held extensive discussions after Saturday's rain-shortened game and were to meet again Sunday over dinner. With a home game today followed by three in a row on the road, it would seem an ideal day to make some serious headway in paring down the roster.

The Rays still have 42 players officially in camp, a number that includes the absent Juan Salas and injured players Rocco Baldelli and Brian Anderson. The Rays also are carrying two pitchers who haven't seen game action in more than a week because of injuries, Chad Orvella and Kurt Birkins.

There are other matters to be sorted out, but Longoria's status remains at the forefront. Most believe he will open the season in Durham, awaiting a call-up perhaps in May or June. He hasn't started the last two games after playing all nine innings Friday night against the Yankees.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Sunday it was "possible" Longoria's status would be announced within a day or two.

"That was obviously a big topic of discussion," Maddon said of Saturday's meeting.

It wasn't the only topic. If Longoria isn't going to be with the team a week from today at Baltimore, Willy Aybar and Joel Guzman both would appear in good shape to make the roster. Elliot Johnson and Andy Cannizaro are possibilities as well.

One of those two probably would make it as the backup shortstop until Ben Zobrist is healthy enough to return from his broken left thumb. He will see the Rays' doctors today, but seems likely to open the season on the disabled list. If so, the Rays can back-date it so he would be eligible to return the first weekend of the season. Johnson hasn't played shortstop in a game this month, but unlike Cannizaro, he has been healthy all spring and is on the 40-man roster.

One outfield spot remains to be filled, and Eric Hinske has seen more time in left and right field lately. His big-league experience and consistency at the plate might give him the edge over John Rodriguez and Jon Weber.

The backup catcher spot still hasn't been officially handed to Shawn Riggans, but it looks as if he will fill the role. He missed a week after being hit in the hand by a pitch, but Maddon said Sunday he didn't think Riggans' physical readiness would be an issue.

Of course, any or all of the above could be altered by a trade, waiver pickup or free-agent signing, with a deal for an outfielder the most likely scenario.

"At this time of year, conversations with other teams get a little more pointed," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "You get a little better sense of what's available, and in the meantime try to juggle your total roster decisions."

NICE DEBUT: The Rays got a look at the third player they acquired in the Delmon Young trade Sunday.

RHP Eduardo Morlan was among the minor-league pitchers called up for the game and the only one to make an appearance, coming on to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning.

He was out of sorts for a few moments, firing seven consecutive balls after being ahead 0-2 on Andy Green with one on and two out. But he settled down and got veteran C Paul Bako on a called third strike to end the game.

"He had a lot of poise out there," Maddon said of the 22-year-old. "He's got good stuff, very much had a live fastball that kind of rides a little bit, threw some good sliders. But I liked the poise as much as anything."

NOTEWORTHY: The Rays' 10-9 victory against the Reds was their 15th win of the spring, a franchise record. ... Closer Troy Percival had his first bad outing of the spring, allowing seven runs in the seventh inning Sunday. He gave up a pair of homers, including a three-run shot by former Rays C Javier Valentin, after allowing just three hits and one run in his previous five outings combined. ... LHP Scott Kazmir played catch again Sunday and "felt really good," according to Maddon. ... The Orioles will start RHP Jeremy Guthrie against the Rays on Opening Day.

Marc Lancaster

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