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Joyce Due Back This Week

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By MARC LANCASTER mlancaster@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 8, 2009

Updated: 03/08/2009 11:35 pm

FORT MYERS - After weeks of confusion, the Rays feel like they finally have a handle on what's wrong with OF Matt Joyce, and the news is good.
Executive vice president Andrew Friedman said Sunday the Armwood High product is suffering from tendinitis in his lower right leg and should be back on the field early this week. Joyce has yet to appear in a game this spring as he has battled what has been alternately described as a calf strain and an ankle problem.

"I think all of us kind of feared that it may be something worse, so it was very good news," Friedman said. "That said, we're not completely out of the woods yet. We're cautiously optimistic that we'll be able to get through it, but it's by no means a certainty."

The plan is for Joyce to work back into playing shape while wearing some sort of support around his ankle, with the idea that he'll be able to see game action before too long.

Friedman said there is no specific timetable because the Rays aren't sure how his leg will react.

There is a chance the injury could require surgery if it doesn't respond properly, but Friedman called that the "least likely scenario right now."

LIVING VICARIOUSLY

As eager as he is to see his first game action of the spring today, Scott Kazmir was left wondering what might have been Sunday.

After watching teammate J.P. Howell pitch a scoreless eighth inning in the World Baseball Classic the day before, Kazmir once again expressed disappointment that he couldn't be there. The Rays successfully petitioned to keep the lefty out of the tournament.

"To be honest, watching the game Saturday, watching J.P., it kind of hurt a little bit," Kazmir said. "I wish I could be out there helping out. But it's going to be good just to get out there today - it feels like it's been forever."

Kazmir said his arm "feels really good" and he's right where he should be in terms of preparation for the season. But after watching nearly two weeks of games before his debut, he's itching to get going.

"You wake up and you feel like you need to be doing something right now; you feel like you're so behind," he said. "But the truth of it is, you're not. We've got that extra couple of weeks and we're going to be getting it going and progressing pretty soon."

BALFOUR BRUISED

Though Grant Balfour did the tough-guy routine after taking a line drive off his pitching arm Saturday, he admitted to feeling it a bit Sunday morning.

"My rugby boys would be proud of me," said the Australian. "That was a pretty big hit."

The inside of his right elbow was bruised and swollen as he reported to Charlotte Sports Park for treatment, and he said the whole area felt stiff. But it could have been worse.

"I don't think it looks too bad, considering," Balfour said. "I thought it was going to be black."

Manager Joe Maddon said Balfour's next appearance, scheduled for Tuesday, likely will be pushed back. With the Rays off Wednesday, he could return Thursday against the Phillies.

NOTEWORTHY

RHP Wade Davis finally looked human after allowing just one man to reach base in his first two starts of the spring. The Red Sox roughed up the prospect for six runs on eight hits in 22/3 innings and Davis admitted his fastball location was "pretty bad," with too many left up in the strike zone. ... DH Pat Burrell is expected to be back from his sister's wedding in California and in the starting lineup today. Others slated to start today against the Twins include LF Carl Crawford and SS Jason Bartlett. ... Rocco Baldelli returned to Boston's lineup Sunday as the DH after missing four days with tightness in his groin.

Marc Lancaster

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