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Who gets bumped when Kaz returns?

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By TONY FABRIZIO afabrizio@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 26, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - LHP Scott Kazmir will come off the disabled list and pitch Saturday or Sunday against the Marlins, and an announcement on whom he will replace on the roster and in the rotation is imminent.

Manager Joe Maddon reiterated Thursday the decision is complicated by the fact RHP Chad Bradford is ready to rejoin the bullpen.

"We're discussing it right now, and we'll have an announcement today," Maddon said after the Rays' 10-4 victory against the Phillies on Thursday night. "We still have not made up our minds."

RHP Jeff Niemann was supposed to start Saturday and LHP David Price on Sunday. If both remain in the rotation, Kazmir, who went on the DL on May 22 to heal a right quad strain and work on his mechanics, could bump them back one start.

Bradford, who had elbow surgery before the season, was scheduled to make another appearance at Triple-A Durham on Saturday. Maddon said he could be recalled before then.

The Rays' options for creating a spot in the rotation for Kazmir include sending Andy Sonnanstine or Price to Durham or moving Sonnanstine or Niemann to the bullpen.

Sonnanstine, who has the highest ERA among the five current starters (6.61), had a rugged first inning in Thursday against the Phillies, allowing four runs. But he recovered nicely and left after 51/3 innings with a 6-4 lead.

No trouble here

In the last meeting between the Rays and Marlins on May 24 in Miami, 2B Akinori Iwamura was seriously injured when Chris Coghlan crashed into his left knee trying to break up a double play.

The Rays say they harbor no ill will toward Coghlan, an East Lake High grad, or the Marlins, entering this weekend's three-game series.

"We're not too happy about it because we lost our player," said RHP James Shields, who will start tonight for the Rays. "But we know he didn't mean to do it. ... And Coghlan came right to our clubhouse and apologized to him and everything."

Iwamura, who learned Monday he could return in six to eight weeks, said previously he has nothing to say to Coghlan and hopes such an incident doesn't happen to another player.

3B Evan Longoria said the Rays have "looked at the play over and over again" and determined it was hard and clean.

"And Coghlan is a good friend of mine," Longoria said. "I played with him in the Cape Cod League. I know the way he is and ... I know he wasn't trying to hurt Aki by any means. ... It goes both ways because you would want your guy to go in hard at second base."

Also notable

SS Jason Bartlett set a club record by hitting safely in his 19th consecutive game. He had been tied with Quinton McCracken, whose 18-game streak came in 1998. ... Longoria got a night off after leaving Wednesday's game early with a slightly sore left hamstring. Maddon said he kept Longoria out as a precaution and expects him to start tonight. Longoria missed six starts early this month with tightness in the same hamstring. ... Willy Aybar, who drew the start at third base, went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.

Tony Fabrizio

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