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Ensberg Seeking Old Form

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By MARC LANCASTER And IRA KAUFMAN The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2009

PORT CHARLOTTE - It's fair to say Morgan Ensberg was looking for good vibes as much as anything when he chose to sign a minor-league deal with the Rays shortly before spring training.

Coming off a pair of miserable seasons that completed his slide from the All-Star Game to hitting .189 in 52 Triple-A games last year, the 33-year-old was mostly looking for a lifeline.

"I think what was most important was to make sure you got yourself in a uniform after having two bad years," Ensberg said. "I wanted to be in a place that was successful and a place that wins. I always try the best I can to do that, because my high school coach taught me that you do a lot better on great teams than not."

Though Ensberg's chances of making the Rays' Opening Day roster likely hinge on someone else getting hurt, his primary focus is simply to play well again. That has been a struggle since the second half of the 2006 season, which saw a shoulder injury derail a hot start that had seen him hit 19 homers before the All-Star break.

Ensberg hasn't been the same since then, getting designated for assignment by the Astros at the 2007 trade deadline and finishing up with the Padres before opening last year in a reserve role for the Yankees. That lasted two months before he was released in early June, and he wrapped up the year unable to do anything at the plate for the Indians' top affiliate in Buffalo.

In explaining his difficulties the past two seasons, Ensberg said he thinks his shoulder injury went to his head. Even after it healed, he said, he didn't feel he could go out and do what he needed to do. His goal this season is to clear that hurdle and get back to performing as he had before - even if it means doing it in Durham rather than Tampa Bay.

"You just want to make sure that you're playing well. That's most important," Ensberg said. "I've done the All-Star thing, I've done where I've been terrible. With me, it's not a pride situation. But I'll tell you what - no matter where you go, you want to play well. When you're playing bad, it stinks."

ALTERNATE ROUTE

The Rays are easing in their returning pitchers who had a heavy workload last season by giving them two days off between throwing sessions, but that approach won't work for J.P. Howell.

The reliever has to be up to game speed a bit earlier, as he's due to pitch competitive innings for the U.S. team during the World Baseball Classic beginning the first week of March. With that in mind, Howell has been throwing every other day. He has been in contact with the U.S. coaching staff, and said they have told him to do whatever he's comfortable with.

"They're kind of saying, 'Hey, let us know,'" Howell said. "It's kind of like I'm still doing my own program, and that's what's nice. They're more worried about if I get enough work."

HEAD GAMES

Sports psychologist Ken Ravizza, a longtime friend of Manager Joe Maddon who worked with Rays starting pitcher Matt Garza last summer, is expected at camp today.

Maddon said the Cal State-Fullerton professor "interacts well with all groups" and plans to work with players throughout the organization. A few weeks ago, Maddon was a guest lecturer for Ravizza's class on stress management.

"This is something we'd like to have for years to come," Maddon said. "We want to have this available to players that need it, both major and minor leagues."

HIGH FINANCE

Maddon's way of unwinding Thursday night was to tune into CNN for a report on the details of the economic stimulus package.

"It's not making a whole lot of sense to me - I need more information," Maddon said. "Just by flooding the market with money ... I don't understand why that necessarily would work. I don't get the theory behind it."

Marc Lancaster, Ira Kaufman

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