Update: The Rays have released pitcher Erik Bedard, tweets Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
Any meteorologist around these parts would assure you that this is the dry season in Florida. Yet Tampa Bays’ finest were met with a steady curtain of precipitation in what could/should be called a wasted a trip to Ft. Myers, Monday. After another Grapefruit League rainout — the second of the spring, I’m sure the Rays would need more than the assurances of Joe/Jane Meteorologist of the “Dry Season Hypothesis.” Since there wasn’t any game action to recap, I’ll take this opportunity to sum up some odds and ends.
Scheduled starter Chris Archer threw in the cage in Port Charlotte to keep the rotation on schedule.
Monday brought the news that Rays prospect Alex Colome has been suspended for the first 50 games of the season, for a positive steroids test. The 25-year-old RHP tested positive for Boldenone — an anabolic steroid used primarily for veterinary use in the treatment of horses — the commissioner’s office said Monday.
Of interest, following a short stint with the Rays last season, Colome was placed on the disabled list with an elbow strain, and never returned. There was never any follow up as to why a good pitching prospect would miss two months with an elbow injury. I’m not certain whether the suspension and the inactivity following the elbow strain are connected.
Whatever the case, Colome was to start in Triple-A as a key part of the Rays depth/insurance for the back end of the rotation. The organization said in statement that they are “disappointed” in Colome’s violation, and will have no further comment.
I’m honored to have been included in a project — along with contributors to DRaysBay and Rays Colored Glasses — from the folks over at the Cards Conclave. If you’re an avid reader of X-Rays Spex, you’re probably familiar with some of the content discussed in this piece, titled Playing Pepper 2014: Tampa Bay Rays, at least from my point of view. Now is your chance to see what Ian and Robbie have to say, in kind.
A new batch of Raymones shirts arrived Monday, just in time for Opening Day! Want one? They’re currently available at our Big Cartel powered merch store. If you place an order one no later than midday Thursday, you should receive it ahead of the 4:10 first pitch, Monday. Of course you could always throw in some extra dough for expedited shipping as well. Don’t forget, you can snag one from Star Booty as well, conveniently located a few doors down from the State Theater on Central Ave, in the Sunshine City.
The New What Next
Monday’s game will not be made up, and the Rays’ pitching rotation will stay on turn, with Odorizzi starting on Tuesday and David Price following him Wednesday.
Rays 3/25/14 Starting Lineup
DeJesus CF
Myers RF
Zobrist 2B
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Joyce LF
Rodriguez SS
Molina C
Escobar DH
Odorizzi RHP
Noteworthiness
- Erik Bedard’s status — whether he will remain with the team — remains unknown, according to Rays manager Joe Maddon. With the loss of depth, at least for 50 games, the addition of Bedard to the 40-man and/or minor league roster could prove valuable. Maddon said Monday, “I don’t know, because I know Andrew [Friedman] gave him time to think about it. I have not had a chance to speak to Andrew. … So I don’t know. Because I know we gave him a lot of latitude with the whole thing.” JoeMa went on to say, “”We want to really emphasize with him that he’s still a Ray. As of right now, he’s a Ray — we feel that way. We want him to stay. So I’m not worried about him missing work or anything like that. He’s stretched out and ready to go. So we’ll see what kind of decision he comes up with, or the interest in him by other teams is also a significant part of it.” The Rays should know more early Tuesday.
- The Rays announced that all the x-rays on Matt Moore were negative. Moore has “light soreness” but, is not expected to miss a start. Moore went through a light workout Monday.