There was considerable talk that Hideki Matsui would join the Rays in Boston this weekend, but Manager Joe Maddon said Matsui - hitting . 121 (4-for-33) through his first nine games - was "not quite ready yet.'' Maddon said they aren't as concerned with Matsui's batting average as being sure that he feels ready at the plate, and that isn't the case yet, though he is "close.'' Continue reading →
Just when it seemed some of the injured Rays were close to return, manager Joe Maddon said OF Brandon Guyer needs surgery on his left shoulder that keep him out the rest of the season. Guyer has a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder and will have surgery next week by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. Meanwhile, OF Desmond Jennings' return from a left knee sprain won't be quite as quick as it seemed, as Maddon said Jennings will continue to ramp up baseball activity over the next few days with a plan to go on a minor-league rehab assignment by the middle of next week and potentially return next weekend. OF/1B Brandon Allen (right quad strain) was eligible to come off the ... Continue reading →
The Rays have shed their nerd gear and are set to take on the Red Sox tonight at Fenway Park. Neither Hideki Matsui, still playing into form at Triple-A Durham, nor Brandon Allen, who was eligible to come off the DL, were activated today, so the Rays have the same roster as they did on Wednesday. RHP Alex Cobb, who was born in Boston and grew up a Red Sox fan, will be on the mound for the Rays against Sox lefty Jon Lester. The Rays kept 1B Carlos Pena atop the batting order, and have Sean Rodriguez at second today and Drew Sutton at third, which is a little bit interesting. Here is the Rays lineup: Pena 1b, Upton cf, Scott dh, Zobrist rf, ... Continue reading →
If you believe a Quinnipiac University poll, the favorite baseball team of most Floridians is the New York Yankees. The poll, released today, found that 20 percent of Florida fans picked the Yankees, with the Rays next at 18 percent, the Marlins at 15 percent, the Red Sox 8 percent and the Braves 7 percent. The Rays were the overwhelming top choice among Tampa Bay area fans, with 54 percent. The Yankees were next at 12 percent and the Red Sox at 8. The Yankees were tops among fans 18-34, with 29 percent The Marlins were No. 1 in southeast Florida (44), Braves tops in north Florida and the Panhandle (23 percent). The poll was based on a May 15-21 survey of 1,988 Florida adults ... Continue reading →
LHP John Gaub was claimed off waivers by the Rangers. The Rays had claimed Gaub off waivers from the Cubs on April 5, and the 27-year-old was working middle relief for Triple-A Durham, going 0-1, 4.32 with one save in 16 2/3 innings over 16 games. The Rays took him off the 40-man roster Monday to make room for the addition of INF Drew Sutton, who was acquired from Pittsburgh's Triple-A team to fill the void created by Jeff Keppinger's injury. Gaub had four big-league appearances with the Cubs in 2011. The Rangers optioned Gaub to Triple-A Round Rock. Continue reading →