On Wednesday, more than 20 Tampa Bay Rays players arrived to camp early and worked out in Port Charlotte. Pitchers and catchers officially report to camp next week.
Among the early attendees (both big and minor leaguers) were Matt Andriese — who PECOTA projects to crack the starting rotation — Curt Casali, Xavier Cedeno, Alex Colome, Matt Duffy, Ryan Garton, Luke Maile, Steven Souza Jr., Jose Alvarado, David Carpenter, Dana Eveland, Eddie Gamboa, Taylor Guerrieri, Ryne Stanek, Chase Whitley, Hunter Wood, Ryan Yarbrough, Willy Adames, Ryan Brett, Nick Ciuffo, Casey Gillaspie, Jake Hager and Adrian Rondon.
Both Souza and Duffy underwent surgery toward the end of the season, yet they are expected to be ready for Opening Day. Another critical part of the Rays, Jim Hickey, also found himself under the knife for shoulder repair surgery, though his recovery hope is modest — he aims to throw batting practice in the playoffs.
Not only are 5 #Rays coming off surgeries, pitching coach Jim Hickey had shoulder repaired Jan. 3. His goal: “To throw BP for playoffs.”
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 8, 2017
In other news, the Rays added depth behind the plate to their spring roster, acquiring Jesus Sucre from the Seattle Mariners for cash or a player to be named later.
According to Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) over his last four big league seasons (totaling 90 games), Sucre collected a .209 batting average and a .522 OPS. In 2015 he appeared in 50 games (43 starts) and hit .157. Sucre played only nine major league games last season after breaking his leg in winter ball.
Sucre is considered a solid catcher with a strong arm. Since he is not on the 40-man roster, having been designated for assignment by Seattle, the Rays do not have to make space on the roster for the backstop.
Finally, after years of internet mockery (see here, here, and here), the Rays are planning to install new turf at the Trop prior to Opening Day.
The new, and presumably improved, Shaw Sports Turf is expected to be easier on the players by providing a firmer and truer surface, which also should look better. Unlike what currently is in place, a hard foam pad will be laid between the concrete base and the turf, with fiber blades and a rubber in-fill system.
Unsurprisingly, turf technology has evolved in the last five years and we think the new turf wil be better for our players’ bodies and play a little truer, and aesthetically will be an improvement on TV and in person, team president Brian Auld said.
After viewing samples from four companies, the ball club went with Shaw, who will install the fifth different playing surface in 20 years of play at Tropicana Field.
We continue to invest in Tropicana Field, Auld said.It’s our home and we want to make it the best venue we can for Major League Baseball.
The team will continue with the all-dirt base paths with turf on the infield and outfield. The new turf is said to be a touch darker, with a shallower fill which should keep the blades standing up and create less “splash” when a ball hits the surface.