Players' Visa Issues Not Major Concern Yet

ST. PETERSBURG - Another day passed with no resolution of the visa problems that have kept RHP Juan Salas and IFs Willy Aybar and Joel Guzman in the Dominican Republic.

Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said the team has asked Major League Baseball for assistance in the matter, but many clubs are having similar issues getting players into the country.

Friedman said Aybar has been working out at the Rays' Dominican academy and he was joined Thursday by Salas and Guzman. If their cases aren't resolved today, the earliest the players likely would arrive is Tuesday, as government offices will be closed all weekend.

Rays manager Joe Maddon remained patient in awaiting the players' arrival, noting that all three played winter ball in the Dominican this season and are probably more game-ready than their peers.

"The biggest thing is, just getting them here and getting them mixed in with the group - obviously it's never good to have a lot of lag time," Maddon said. "But they've played a lot, they participated this past winter, so I am not as deeply concerned right yet."

LIGHTS, CAMERA...: Several Rays players wore their white regular-season home uniforms to practice Thursday. In the midst of workouts, they were pulled out for photo and video shoots in conjunction with the team's new advertising campaign. The team couldn't use any file footage because of the uniform change.

Among the scenes shot was Carlos Pena crossing home plate after an imaginary home run and slapping a high-five with Akinori Iwamura.

THE ROOKIE: Former Rays pitcher Jim Morris, whose out-of-nowhere story inspired the Disney movie "The Rookie," will sign autographs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday as part of the team's annual Fan Fest at Tropicana Field.

Morris, 44, remains an in-demand speaker, traveling all over the world to give about 100 talks each year. His theme?

"Second chances and not giving up," he said on a conference call Thursday. "It couldn't be much easier than that."

All of the Rays' players and coaches are scheduled to sign autographs Saturday. A full listing of times can be found at TBO.com, keyword: Rays Report.

GIVEAWAYS GALORE: The Rays released their 2008 promotional schedule, which includes giveaways, concerts or theme nights at 42 of the team's 81 home games.

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday game will feature a promotion. There will be a giveaway for the first 7,500 kids 14 and under at every Sunday home game.

Single-game tickets go on sale today at 9 a.m. at raysbaseball.com and raysbeisbol.com. Tickets will be available in person beginning Saturday.

Marc Lancaster