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Longoria Unsure Of WBC Standing

Tribune file photo by JOSEPH BROWN III

Evan Longoria isn't sure if he'll be asked to play in the World Baseball Classic for Team USA.

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By MARC LANCASTER

mlancaster@tampatrib.com

Published: February 20, 2009

Updated: 02/20/2009 12:41 am

PORT CHARLOTTE - Evan Longoria was back in the clubhouse Thursday morning and was feeling better than Wednesday, when he went home early because of lingering pain from his wisdom tooth extraction last week.

The question that should be resolved within the next few days is whether Longoria will remain in Rays camp or head north to join Team USA in Clearwater as it prepares for the World Baseball Classic. Longoria was on the U.S. team's provisional roster, and he said he spoke to Manager Davey Johnson last week but hasn't heard anything since then about his status.

"I'm just going under my own assumption that I'm not going to play and I'm going to take the necessary time to get ready for the season," Longoria said.

Most expect the U.S. team to carry two third basemen, and Chipper Jones and David Wright have been on the list from the beginning, leading Longoria to assume he will make the cut only if one of them gets hurt or has a change of heart.

"I think it's just going to go based off seniority," he said. "Those guys were chosen before me, and I think if they want to play they're probably going to be the two guys that'll be on the roster."

Final 24-man rosters for the WBC must be filed by Tuesday, but there have been reports out of various camps this week that some players have been contacted and told they definitely will be on the team.

SALAS TO TRIBE: The Rays found a way to get something back for RHP Juan Salas, who was designated for assignment last week, by trading him to Cleveland on Thursday.

The Rays received 2B Isaias Velasquez from the Indians. The 20-year-old from Panama was named to the New York-Penn League All-Star Team last year at Mahoning Valley, where he hit .281 in 64 games.

There's a good chance Salas would have been claimed off waivers, so the Rays were pleased to have something to show for the reliever's departure.

BLOWIN' IN THE WIND: If anything has become apparent in the first week at Charlotte Sports Park, it's that the wind will be blowing hard more often than not. That was the case Thursday, as Joe Maddon somewhat sadistically brought out the whole team for a pop-up drill.

With winds gusting to around 25 mph, everything Maddon shot in the air with a pitching machine was an adventure for everyone - including the spectators behind the fence. More than one ball shot straight up, intended for a catcher, and came down behind the backstop, sending patrons scrambling.

One such ball caught a fan on the shoulder, prompting Maddon to walk over at the end of the drill and give the gentleman one of Longoria's bats, which the player later signed. Maddon also announced he would offer up a $100 reward to any fan making a clean grab of an errant delivery, but the weather conditions helped keep the money in his pocket.

"I felt pretty good that I was not going to pay my hundred bucks - though a guy down the right-field line came close," Maddon said. "He had it and dropped it."

NOTEWORTHY: Infielder Ray Olmedo was in the clubhouse bright and early Thursday after arriving in town the previous evening. His arrival meant all 62 players expected were officially in camp. ... The Rays will push live batting practice back a day to Saturday, giving the pitchers one more chance to just throw in the bullpen today. Live BP will take place Saturday and Sunday, then the Rays will get two more days off from it before the exhibition season begins Wednesday.

Marc Lancaster

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