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Activated Floyd Eager To Return

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 10, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Moments after 3B Evan Longoria's walk-off home run against the Angels, the Rays activated DH Cliff Floyd from the 15-day disabled list and designated for assignment OF Nathan Haynes.

Floyd took batting practice Friday, after which Manager Joe Maddon met with the team's medical staff. Before the game, Floyd proclaimed himself ready to play.

"I'm in a rush," said Floyd, who has spent the past week playing in extended spring training games. "I don't know if they're in a rush. I want to get back. It's been four weeks today. I'm just anxious to get back with my boys and sit on the bench and be part of the team. I want to feel like I'm contributing in some way, whether it's good or bad. I just want to contribute. I want to be a big part of this."

Floyd batted .333 with two home runs and five RBIs in four games before undergoing the surgery on April 11. During an extended spring game on Thursday, he was able to test the knee when he got caught in a rundown.

He also said he was running first-to-third on base hits much better.

"I couldn't even do that before I got hurt," he said.

Maddon was impressed with the batting practice session Friday and said a decision on Floyd's return date would be made after a conversation with the team's medical staff.

"He's swinging well, not inhibited by the knee whatsoever," Maddon said. "Looks good. Looks real good."

KAZ RETURNS, TAKE TWO: LHP Scott Kazmir got past his personal Opening Day jitters Sunday at Fenway Park.

After giving up four runs (three earned) in four innings against the Red Sox in his first start after missing all of spring training and a month of the regular season with a strained left elbow, he got his mechanical issues squared away in a midweek bullpen session.

What does he expect today, as he makes his first home start of the season against the Angels?

"I expect myself to be comfortable and play my game," said Kazmir, who is 35-30 lifetime and needs one victory to break a tie with Victor Zambrano for the Rays franchise record.

Zambrano was traded to the Mets in exchange for Kazmir in 2004.

HOWELL SETTLES IN: Five times in his 10 relief appearances this season, Rays LHP J.P. Howell has pitched three innings, including Thursday as he earned the extra-innings victory against Toronto.

That's the most three-inning relief appearances in the majors for a pitcher who came into spring training competing for a spot in the starting rotation. He didn't win that spot, but at 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA, Howell is beginning to prove that he might have ended up in the right place, after all.

"For me right now, man, it's better, no doubt," Howell said. "Maybe I'll head back to starting someday, but for now, I like it in the bullpen."

Pitching as a starter last season, Howell rarely surpassed 85 mph with his fastball. Out of the bullpen this year, his fastball has consistently been clocked at 88-89 mph.

"I finally got a good foundation with my working out," Howell said. "When I first started, I went through a learning phase. There'd be days when my arm was weak, and that's what happened. I worked out for a couple of years and got healthy. That's pretty much it."

NOTEWORTHY: Triple-A Durham RHP Jeff Niemann pitched three scoreless innings and struck out four in his first start for the Bulls since being optioned back on April 21. He had been out with arm soreness. ... RHP Juan Salas, in his first game for the Bulls after being moved up from Double-A Montgomery, allowed five runs in two innings. ... Rays RHP Al Reyes (15-day DL, shoulder impingement) and RHP Gary Glover (15-day DL, shoulder tendinitis) are scheduled to pitch bullpen sessions today.

Carter Gaddis

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