Rays' Bartlett close to returning from DL

SS Jason Bartlett, out since May 25 with a sprained left ankle, took grounders and some batting practice before Tuesday's game and said he felt "a lot better than a few days ago."

He's eligible to come off the disabled list today, and while it's almost certain he won't, his return might not be too far off.

"My personal goal would be Friday, but I think the smart thing would be to wait until Tuesday at Colorado," Bartlett said.

Bartlett fielded balls hit to his side Tuesday and moved OK, although he said afterward he has more work to do on twisting to throw. He said he doesn't think he'll need to play a game or two in the minors, reasoning that batting and infield practice will be enough.

Bartlett was off to a torrid start - his club-leading .373 batting average would lead the AL if he had enough plate appearances - and he conceded he's worried about being rusty.

"Even in my BP sessions, I'm trying to get that feel back," he said. "And it's not coming back, so I'm starting to stress. It is frustrating. I was feeling great, so we'll see what happens when I come back."

Pitcher added

The Rays have a new RHP at Triple-A Durham. They came to terms Tuesday on a minor-league contract with veteran reliever Jorge Julio, who began the season with Milwaukee (1-1, 7.79 ERA in 15 relief appearances).

Julio, 30, has 99 saves and a career 4.43 ERA with eight clubs over nine seasons. RHP Chad Orvella was released to create a roster spot.

Finally, Niemann

RHP Jeff Niemann has had to wait a week to follow up on the best start of his young major-league career - last Wednesday's two-hit shutout of the Royals.

He said he doesn't think waiting two extra days because of Friday's rainout in New York and the club's decision to move up RHP James Shields to Tuesday will throw off his rhythm.

"I've just been trying to get my rest and work on stuff on the side and try to stay ready mentally to go out and attack them tomorrow," Niemann said.

The fifth starter has become the club's most pleasant surprise; the Rays are 7-4 in his starts, their best mark with any of their starters.

"You don't see many curveballs with the kind of command he showed the last time," Manager Joe Maddon said of the pitch Niemann uses to maximize his downward-angle fastball. "I believe that's more about what he should look like. I don't believe that was the anomaly game."

Real home cooking

Angels 3B Chone Figgins said he never eats out when he returns home to the Tampa Bay area. That's because his mother, Eva Callins, cooks "two or three times a day," and he takes full advantage.

Because the Angels had Monday off, Figgins, a former Brandon High star, got to spend extra time with family and friends at the home he built for his mother on 24 acres in Plant City. Some of them fished off the new dock over the property's three-acre pond.

Figgins said both of his parents (his father, Charles, lives in Orlando) and a host of family members and friends attended Tuesday's game.

Tony Fabrizio