Don't Count Out Kazmir For Opener

CLEARWATER - Don't discount the possibility of Scott Kazmir starting on Opening Day just yet.

After watching the left-hander throw Thursday morning at Progress Energy Park, Rays manager Joe Maddon said he thinks Kazmir might be ready to face the Orioles on March 31.

"From what I saw today, I'm pretty optimistic," Maddon said. "He looked normal, and he was not holding back. It could be right about that time he's going to be ready to go."

Kazmir has insisted at every stage of his rehab that his arm feels fine, and said it again Thursday before he played catch with head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield at about 90 feet. The current plan is for Kazmir to take today off from throwing, then do some long-toss over the weekend and throw a bullpen session by early next week.

"I think one solid bullpen, he might be ready for a game after that," Maddon said.

If Kazmir sticks to that timetable, he could be in a Grapefruit League game by the end of next week. That would give him time to make three or four starts leading up to the opener and prove to the Rays that he is ready to go.

WAITING ON ROCCO: First the Rays said Rocco Baldelli would DH rather than play the outfield in his next appearance. Now it looks like Baldelli might wait another day or two even to do that.

Maddon said he still wasn't sure whether Baldelli, who got two at-bats as the DH Tuesday, would play today as scheduled. He said a determination would be made this morning.

"He just wasn't up to speed and I've just got to make sure with Ronnie again, being the vague situation that it is," Maddon said. "I'm just really not sure that he's going to be able to play today based on the recovery after the last time out."

PLAY OF THE DAY: Evan Longoria's hitting gets plenty of attention, but he can be just as effective in the field.

The third baseman opened some eyes Thursday when Phillies CF Shane Victorino tried to bunt his way on leading off the third inning. Longoria charged the ball, barehanded it and threw out the speedy Victorino at first.

"Longoria's play on the bunt - oh my God," Maddon said. "I mean, even Victorino couldn't believe that."

James Shields, the prime beneficiary of Longoria's work, wasn't surprised.

"I've been telling guys from Day One - that's just how he is, that's how he plays," Shields said. "He's Gold Glove material over there and he can hit and he plays the game hard every day."

LESS IS MORE: After Thursday's Rays-Phillies game was shortened to five innings by rain, the teams decided to play an additional three or four innings after the conclusion of today's scheduled game between the teams at Progress Energy Park.

The Rays, in particular, need to get more work for their pitchers after Tuesday's game against the Twins also was cut short.

"We still are playing a little bit of catch-up," Maddon said.

Because the teams completed five innings Thursday, the game was official and statistics count. Akinori Iwamura and Carlos Pena hit their first homers of the spring - Iwamura's leading off the game against Adam Eaton - and Carl Crawford had a double and a triple.

NOTEWORTHY: RHP Chris Mason was excused from camp and went home to North Carolina after his father fell ill. The Rays expect him back today. ... Rays players will have their annual meeting with Players Association chief Donald Fehr and his staff this morning. ... Matt Garza starts against Mike Mussina and the Yankees on Saturday in Tampa. ... Edwin Jackson will get his third start of the spring Sunday against Cincinnati's Matt Belisle. ... The Rays will offer all-you-can-eat ticket packages to groups of at least 20 for select home games this season. The price is $35 per person and up to 700 can be accommodated. Call 1-888-FAN-RAYS for more information.

Marc Lancaster