Rays closer Rafael Soriano threw live batting practice Thursday for the first time this season.
"Been a long time," he said after throwing 28 pitches to a group of minor leaguers on a back field at the Charlotte Sports Complex.
Soriano said he will throw another round of live BP on Sunday then make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday against Minnesota. Soriano said when he reported to camp that he needs only six or seven appearances to get ready for the season.
"I do believe he really understands what he has to do, and I trust him," Rays manager Joe Maddon said earlier this week of his $7.25 million closer, who had 27 saves in 31 chances for the Braves last season.
Matt Fields took Soriano deep, getting a line drive up in the wind and over the fence in left-center field. It was a fastball away Soriano said.
"After that it was cutter, cutter, cutter," Fields said.
Soriano threw Thursday while Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey watched from behind the batting cage.
"He's got a good arm," Maddon joked when Soriano finished.
Maddon said Soriano looked good and mixed a slider in among the fastballs and sliders.
"His command is not where he wants it to be right now," Maddon said. "But the ball out of his hands is really alive."
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