News out of Rhode Island on Dec. 17 was encouraging for Rocco Baldelli.
The Rays outfielder, who returned in August from what was believed to be a mitochondrial disorder, said further tests by the Cleveland Clinic revealed he is suffering from a different, more treatable condition. Baldelli learned he has channelopathy. The condition causes severe pain and burning in Baldelli's legs after a workout or something as simple as running to first base.
A different cocktail of medication has kept the condition in check, and Baldelli thinks he can play more often than he did during the final months of 2008.
The Rays declined the 2009 option on Baldelli in April, thinking his career might be over. So Baldelli, who hit .263 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in 28 regular-season games and .200 with two home runs and six RBIs in the postseason, became a free agent after the World Series.
But the Rays are still interested in improving their offense, and Baldelli's right-handed power bat could be useful in a platoon between right field and designated hitter, something the Rays were hoping would be the case entering last season.
Rays vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman said he is still interested in re-signing Baldelli, but the Phillies, Reds, Red Sox and Yankees have also shown an interest.
The news from the Cleveland Clinic will change the way general managers view Baldelli, especially if he can play on consecutive days, something that was iffy at best last season.
It is possible Baldelli could return to the Rays with a contract heavy on incentives.
