Upton Injury Is Not Severe

BALTIMORE - When Rays CF B.J. Upton collapsed to the ground Thursday after fouling off a fifth-inning pitch by Orioles LHP Brian Burres, it conjured visions of yet another extended stay on the disabled list for a crucial Rays player.

Upton immediately headed for the clubhouse, clutching his left arm. By the time he got there, there was a sense of relief that the strained left shoulder he inflicted upon himself with his hard swing was not going to cost him more than a couple days of playing time.

Upton has some experience with this kind of injury; in August 2006, he did the same thing with the Rays and missed three games. He also did it while playing in the minors.

"It looks bad right away," Upton said. "It feels bad right away. But this is the best it's ever felt right after, so we shouldn't think too much of it."

Manager Joe Maddon doesn't expect to be without his No. 3 batter for long. OF Nathan Haynes replaced Upton in the lineup Thursday.

"He's fine," Maddon said. "Today's game against Boston, probably doubtful as a starter, but he probably would be ready to help us out at some point during the game. And then we'll evaluate going into Saturday. But I don't think it's going to be anything long term."

GARZA'S CASE TO STAY: Rays RHP Matt Garza earned his first victory Thursday in a Tampa Bay uniform and strengthened his already compelling case to remain a part of the starting rotation when LHP Scott Kazmir comes off the DL on Sunday.

"I'm just going to pitch," Garza said. "It's not my decision. I'll just keep working my butt off for the next four days and prepare for my next start."

Garza's only blemish was a two-run homer in the fourth by Orioles CF Adam Jones, which tied the game at 2. It came on a hanging slider.

After that, he retired seven of the eight batters he faced. He threw 98 pitches, 63 for strikes.

Garza and RHP Andy Sonnanstine have minor-league options remaining, while RHP Jason Hammel and today's starter, RHP Edwin Jackson, do not. Sonnanstine (4-1) seems to have secured his place for the time being, especially after allowing one run in eight innings to win Wednesday.

One potential scenario for shuffling the pitching staff would be to move Hammel to long relief after his rough outing against Baltimore on Tuesday, but the team still would have to make room for Kazmir on the 25-man roster.

RHP Scott Dohmann has pitched well (2-0, 3.55 ERA in nine appearances) but was the last pitcher named to the staff in spring training. Dohmann is out of options and would be exposed to waivers if taken off the 25-man roster.

Designating Hammel for assignment doesn't seem likely, because the Rays would be more likely to risk losing a reliever than a 25-year-old starter.

REHAB UPDATES: Rays reliever Al Reyes (15-day DL, right shoulder impingement) pitched two-thirds of an inning Thursday in extended spring training, throwing 22 pitches.

Maddon said there's a chance if Reyes feels like he could pitch today, the team will try to fly him to Boston and activate him in time for tonight's 7:05 game. More likely, if Reyes is ready to return, he'd rejoin the team Saturday, at which point LHP Kurt Birkins is likely to be optioned to Triple-A Durham.

Carter Gaddis