Manager Joe Maddon plans to be patient even though the team has struggled through the first three weeks of the season. If and when they decide to make changes, they will have some interesting options. In addition to starting pitching prospects David Price and Wade Davis, they also have Mitch Talbot and Carlos Hernandez at Class AAA. And if they to add some offense, or if they decide CF B.J. Upton needs more time, they could call up OF Matt Joyce, who has been getting hot at Class AAA Durham.
PLAYER NEWS: --DH Pat Burrell was a late scratch Tuesday because of what manager Joe Maddon described as a "little bit of a stiff neck," but he is expected to play Wednesday. Willy Aybar took Burrell's place in the lineup.
--LHP Scott Kazmir starts Wednesday in Minnesota seeking to tie the team record of four April wins, set last season by RHP Andy Sonnanstine. Kazmir is 3-1, one win shy of the major league lead shared by Zack Greinke, Roy Halladay and Chad Billingsley.
--RHP Jason Isringhausen completed the Class AA Montgomery portion of his rehab assignment and will move to Class AAA Durham. He will make a two-inning appearance initially, then be used on an as-needed basis. Isringhausen had surgery on his elbow in September, so the Rays want to give him as much time as possible before making a decision. He can stay on rehab until May 19.
MEDICAL WATCH:
DH Pat Burrell (stiff neck) was scratched from the lineup April 28.
C Shawn Riggans (right shoulder tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 10.
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.
RHP Jason Isringhausen (right elbow surgery in September 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 31. He began a rehab assignment with Class AA Montgomery on April 20. He was scheduled to pitch for Class AAA Durham before being reassessed.
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.
ROTATION:
RHP James Shields
LHP Scott Kazmir
RHP Matt Garza
RHP Andy Sonnanstine
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
CATCHERS:
Dioner Navarro
Michel Hernandez
INFIELDERS:
1B Carlos Pena
2B Akinori Iwamura
SS Jason Bartlett
3B Evan Longoria
INF Willy Aybar
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Carl Crawford
CF B.J. Upton
RF Gabe Gross
DH Pat Burrell
OF Gabe Kapler
OF/INF Ben Zobrist
