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'Navi' Making Noise With Bat

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By MARC LANCASTER The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 8, 2008

TORONTO - Dioner Navarro realizes there were times last season when he came to the plate in a key situation that even those in his own dugout didn't expect much from him.

He also believes that perception has changed, as his strong second half at the plate has carried over into a torrid offensive run since he came off the disabled list last month.

"I think now this year it's, 'If it's Navi's turn, he's going to pick us up,'" Navarro said.

Among the categories in which Navarro is much improved so far this season is his .316 average with runners in scoring position. That number is in line with Navarro's work across the board. After going 1-for-3 Wednesday night, he has hit .357 (15-for-42) in 12 games since returning from the DL.

According to Rays manager Joe Maddon, the key to Navarro's offensive success is keeping the ball out of the air, and the catcher has bought into it.

"Line drive," Navarro said of his approach. "Try to shoot the gaps, try to hit the ball the other way. I think that's one thing that helps me tremendously is to hit the ball the other way. When I hit a home run, it's going to come by itself - I didn't try to do it. I just want to keep doing what I've been doing."

Maddon said he expects Navarro to be the kind of player who hits "seven to 10" homers each season, but he can collect 60-70 RBIs from his position low in the batting order with others reaching base in front of him.

Navarro is never going to be asked to carry the team offensively, but at least this season he isn't weighing the Rays down as he did during a dreadful first half last year.

"I think one of the weapons in my game is offense," said Navarro. "I think that's what they brought me here for. They knew I could catch and I could throw the ball, and they also knew I could hit. But it hasn't been there for me, so hopefully this is the year that I prove to myself, especially, and to everybody else, that I can do it."

REHAB WATCH: The Rays' wave of near-ready injured players kept up the momentum Wednesday.

Ben Zobrist began a rehab assignment with Vero Beach, going 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly as the DH at Lakeland. He'll play in the field for the V-Rays the next three days. Cliff Floyd got four more at-bats in extended spring training as the DH (as did Willy Aybar, whose return is still a ways off) and remains on track to rejoin the Rays during the homestand.

Al Reyes and Gary Glover played catch, with Reyes scheduled for a bullpen session today. Glover will wait until Saturday for a bullpen, but Maddon said he doesn't necessarily think the right-hander will need to appear in a minor-league or extended spring game before being activated.

NOTEWORTHY: LHP Scott Kazmir had "spectacular" command in his bullpen session Wednesday, according to Maddon. ... LHP David Price threw 47 pitches in a three-inning extended spring training start against the Phillies. Price gave up two singles and a run but didn't walk a batter while striking out four. ... RHP Evan Meek cleared waivers Wednesday after being designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Pirates are trying to work out a trade with the Rays that will allow them to keep the Rule 5 draft pick and send him to the minors. ... RHP Jae Kuk Ryu went on Durham's seven-day disabled list with elbow soreness, a problem the Rays don't think is too serious.

Marc Lancaster

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