Alex Cobb, Daniel Robertson, Ryan Brett, and Mikie Mahtook are among the players who joined in the unofficial workouts in Port Charlotte, Friday. Some of the biggest news came out of the Kevin Cash/Matt Silverman pre-Spring Training press conference. Silverman said both Jake McGee and Matt Moore are on track with their rehabilitation schedule, suggesting a late April return for McGee and “June-ish” for Moore. McGee told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) that his rehab is going well, though he previously had some soreness when throwing from 90 feet. The soreness concerns have reportedly been alleviated.
Author Archives: Schmitty
City Council Holds First Stadium Workshop
The abstract: Despite an attempt by Mayor Rick Kriseman to stop St. Petersburg city staffers from preparing for a workshop on the subject of building a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays, St. Petersburg city council members met Thursday to discuss that very subject, potentially by redeveloping the 85-acre Tropicana Field property. That redevelopment would combine such things as a hotel or a small convention center with a new ball park. Unfortunately the reporting on the first of what promises to be a series of workshops on the subject netted cloudy results.
Spring Is In the Air!
Thanks to a handful of tweets from Rays beat writer Marc Topkin, more than a dozen players made the early trek to Port Charlotte, ahead of the official start of Spring Training, Monday. Among the players getting in some early work are pitchers Jake McGee, Matt Moore, Jeff Beliveau, CJ Riefenhauser, Nate Karns, Kirby Yates, Matt Andriese and Mike Montgomery, as well as Rene Rivera, John Jaso, Curt Casali, Brandon Guyer, David DeJesus and Tim Beckham.
Rays Release Details on Fan Fest
The Tampa Bay Rays released details of their annual Fan Fest, which will be held this Saturday. In addition to the typical Fan Fest forums, James Click (Rays Director of Baseball Research and Development, former writer for Baseball Prospectus) will hold a panel on Sabermetrics, and how the Rays use advanced statistics throughout the season. A complete list of the forums has yet to be released.
Projecting the Rays 2015 Bullpen
The Rays ‘pen has been in a state of flux this off-season. Gone are Joel Peralta and Cesar Ramos, two relievers many grew to love (or hate, you choose). They were also dealt a setback, albeit temporary, with the injury and subsequent surgery on closer Jake McGee. In turn, a few experienced arms have been brought in and to deal with the flux. As of now, a little more than a week before the start of Spring Training, as many as 11 players are vying for a role in the later innings.