One of manager Joe Maddon's primary goals the first week of the season was to get a better feel for new relievers Joe Nelson and Brian Shouse. He needed to figure out how best to use them, and when best to use them. And after seeing them both get key outs in one of the games in Boston, he felt pretty good about them, and the full bullpen. Maddon talks about wanting to have four relievers he can use in "even or ahead" situations, and said that with the way Nelson and Shouse responded, and how well long man Lance Cormier has pitched, he feels all seven relievers fit that description.
PLAYER NEWS: --CF B.J. Upton was to rejoin the Rays for Monday's home opener, having completed his three-game rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte on Saturday and showing his left shoulder is fully recovered from off-season surgery to repair a torn labrum. His addition makes the Rays better offensively, given his combination of power, speed and patience at the plate, and defensively, because of how much ground he can cover.
--2B Akinori Iwamura will move down to the eighth spot in the order against right-handers and ninth against lefties with CF B.J. Upton coming off the DL to take over the leadoff spot. SS Jason Bartlett will bat ninth against right-handers and eighth against lefties.
--OF Matt Joyce, who impressed the Rays with his power and smooth defense this spring and made the opening day roster, was optioned to Class AAA Durham to make room for CF B.J. Upton. Joyce knew it was coming, but he was still disappointed and very determined. "You play every day and you play hard and hopefully make it back up and next time you come up you stick," he said.
MEDICAL WATCH:
CF B.J. Upton (left shoulder surgery in November 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte (Port Charlotte, Fla.) on April 9, and he is expected to be activated by the Rays on April 13.
RHP Chad Bradford (right elbow surgery in February 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He is making a good recovery and hopes to be back in late May or June.
OF Fernando Perez (dislocated left wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He is projected to miss four or five months because further exams showed ligament damage as part of the injury he suffered March 10. The Rays hope he will return in time to play regular-season games.
RHP Jason Isringhausen (right elbow surgery in September 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 31. He might be able to return in May.
ROTATION:
1. RHP James Shields
2. LHP Scott Kazmir
3. RHP Matt Garza
4. RHP Andy Sonnanstine
5. RHP Jeff Niemann
BULLPEN:
RHP Troy Percival (closer)
RHP Dan Wheeler
RHP Grant Balfour
LHP J.P. Howell
LHP Brian Shouse
RHP Joe Nelson
RHP Lance Cormier
LINEUP:
1. CF B.J. Upton
2. LF Carl Crawford
3. 3B Evan Longoria
4. 1B Carlos Pena
5. DH Pat Burrell
6. C Dioner Navarro
7. RF Gabe Gross/Gabe Kapler
8. 2B Akinori Iwamura
9. SS Jason Bartlett
RESERVES:
C Shawn Riggans
INF Ben Zobrist
INF Willy Aybar
OF Gabe Kapler/Gabe Gross
