Kaz dismisses rumors

LHP Scott Kazmir doesn't think he'll be making his final start as a Ray tonight against the Yankees.

He said he hasn't given much credence to the trade rumors that keep circulating, but just in case, his agent, Brian Peters, "reached out" to Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman and "got everything straight."

Asked what his agent learned, Kazmir said, "Well, it was vague; nothing. It's just like I told you: The rumors could come from anywhere, but there's really nothing to it."

The Rays' standard policy is not to comment on rumors, but the club has given no indication it is shopping the two-time All-Star who is 4-6 with a 6.69 ERA. The non-waiver trade deadline is Friday.

"Why worry about it?" Kazmir said. "I want to be here. I've expressed I want to be here. That's the reason why I signed a three-year contract extension with a club option for a fourth year in 2008, with $28.5 million guaranteed."

After being on the other end of Mark Buehrle's perfect game Thursday at Chicago, Kazmir will try to get his first win since May 9 tonight against the Yankees. He is 0-2 with a 5.08 ERA since returning from the DL on June 27, but the Rays have won three of his five starts.

Major progress

By the look of things, the Rays might get 2B Akinori Iwamura back for the season's final month or so.

Originally thought to have a torn ACL when he was injured May 24 at Florida, Iwamura has ditched his knee brace and was moving around the clubhouse easily Monday.

He ran on the field for the first time before the game and will field ground balls for the first time today. He has been taking light batting practice, thrown by his interpreter, Tateki Uchibori.

Manager Joe Maddon said the Rays should know by the middle of August if and when Iwamura will be sent on a minor-league rehab assignment.

Iwamura was batting .310 when he went down.

Tough return

LHP Brian Shouse returned from the disabled list on Monday, as expected, but he did not fare well.

Entering in the top of the ninth with the Rays trailing 7-3, he got two quick outs only to allow a solo homer to Nick Swisher, a double to Melky Cabrera and a three-run home run to Johnny Damon.

Of course, the Rays had other problems in an 11-4 loss.

Before the game, Shouse said he felt great and hoped he could be productive, "because I sure don't want to be the guy that messes everything up."

He gives the Rays three lefties in the bullpen, along with J.P. Howell and Randy Choate.

Shouse, whose ERA jumped from 3.77 to 5.87, spent 53 days on the disabled list with a left elbow sprain. He made four rehab appearances for Class A Charlotte, tossing four innings and allowing one run on five hits.

To make room for him on the roster, RHP Dale Thayer was optioned back to Triple-A Durham.

Tony Fabrizio