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: --SS Jason Bartlett, the Rays' hottest hitter thus far, left Wednesday's game after the top of the fifth inning with what was described as left hamstring tightness. Bartlett was replaced by Ben Zobrist, and any extended absence could be significant as much as the Rays have been struggling offensively.
--LHP Scott Kazmir got off to a rough beginning and had another brutal start on Wednesday, including two wild pitches that led to first-inning runs. Kazmir had a rough start in Oakland on Friday but righted himself. Wednesday, there was no such recovery as he ended up allowing a season-high eight runs and nine hits.
--DH Pat Burrell returned to the lineup after missing Tuesday's game with a stiff neck. Burrell's lack of production is one of the reasons the Rays have struggled thus far offensively.
--RHP Matt Garza starts Thursday as the Rays open an important homestand against the Red Sox. Last time he faced them at the Trop, he beat them in Game 7 of the ALCS. Including postseason, he is 6-1, 2.90 in 10 games against Boston.
MEDICAL WATCH:
SS Jason Barlett (left hamstring tightness) came out of the game April 29. The extent of the injury wasn't immediately known.
DH Pat Burrell (stiff neck) was scratched from the lineup April 28 but was back in the lineup April 29.
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
