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Joyce's Status Still Not Clear

By MARC LANCASTER The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 4, 2009

Which MLB veteran has the best chance to make an impact with the Rays?

PORT CHARLOTTE - It's tough to win a job when you can't even get on the field.

Matt Joyce doesn't need to be reminded of that in his frustrating first spring with his hometown team. Positioned heading into camp as a legitimate contender to hold down half of the Rays' right field platoon, he has yet to take batting practice on the field, let alone play in a game. And no one seems to have a feel for when that might happen.

So it's fair to say the uncertainty surrounding the injury to his lower right leg that has kept him idle is driving him nuts.

"Each day, you get a little crazier," Joyce said Tuesday.

Aside from his inability to break into a Grapefruit League game, not knowing exactly what is holding him back has been the source of the 24-year-old Armwood High graduate's greatest frustration.

He's dealing with pain and soreness that seems a little below his calf but a little above his ankle. Joyce said MRI exams have labeled it a calf strain, which is what the Rays have been calling it, but he also has been seen walking around wearing an ankle brace at times this spring. The Rays plan to get some more medical opinions, he said, but for his part he doesn't believe a simple muscle strain would linger this long. He has been dealing with it since January.

Complicating matters is that Joyce will feel good one day and bad the next, with no apparent progression. There was word last week that he might get into a game this week, but Manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday that Joyce definitely wouldn't play before the weekend. And the player himself has given up on predicting that outcome.

"I have no idea. I really have no idea," he said. "Hopefully it is this weekend - hopefully the thing disappears tomorrow. I wish I could rub some healing cream on there or something and make it go away."

DON'T SEE IT EVERY DAY

The Rays sent 14 men to the plate and scored 10 runs in the bottom of the third inning with a big assist from Houston's pitchers, who issued six consecutive walks in the frame.

Astros starter (and former Ray) Brandon Backe sparked the run by walking two to load the bases with nobody out. He was replaced by Samuel Gervacio, who walked the only three men he faced to force in three runs. Yet another reliever, lefty Polin Trinidad, capped the string by giving Adam Kennedy a free pass to bring home another run.

"As a group, that's part of what we're trying to nurture here, that we will accept our walks," Maddon said. "Sometimes with the bases loaded, guys get too eager to swing the bat. It was kind of nice to see that."

TUESDAY'S GAME

RHP Jeff Niemann continued to make a strong push for a rotation spot by striking out five Astros in three innings, including a couple on knee-buckling curveballs. ... 2B Reid Brignac entered the day 0-for-11 this spring, but he led off the third inning by hitting the first pitch he saw from Backe into the bullpen beyond the right-field fence for a home run. ... SS Jason Bartlett collected two hits in the third inning after doubling to lead off the first. ... RF Gabe Kapler threw out Jason Michaels in the fourth as he attempted to go from first to third on a single. ... Brandon High product Danny Graves finished the game for the Astros. The former Reds closer last pitched in the majors for the Indians in 2006.

NOTEWORTHY

1B Carlos Pena "is in the lineup as of right now" for Friday's game against the Pirates in Bradenton, Maddon said. ... Puerto Rico will start Giants LHP Jonathan Sanchez tonight against the Rays in Port Charlotte. ... The Rays' installment of MLB Network's "30 Clubs in 30 Days" series is scheduled to air for the first time tonight at 8. ... The Rays highlighted Tobacco Free Florida Week on Tuesday by distributing tobaccofreeflorida.com magnets bearing Maddon's image to the first 1,000 fans.

Marc Lancaster

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