Jamie Schultz is making a solid bid to be a part of the 2017 bullpen, by notching nine strikeouts already this spring. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays, coming off a come from behind 5-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, earned a much needed off-day from Grapefruit League action on Monday.

Takeaways from Sunday’s ball game:

— Making his second outing of the spring, right-hander Alex Cobb was efficient for the Rays over his three innings on the mound, allowing just a single run.

Cobb threw 23 of 37 pitches for strikes, and his fastball velocity ranged from 90 to 93 miles per hour. He allowed three hits and no walks, while striking out one. One of the only negatives on the day came in the second inning, when Cobb allowed Jose Bautista to swipe third base completely unchecked. A few pitches later, former Ray Steve Pearce plated Bautista on a sacrifice-fly to left.

Ever the perfectionist, Cobb explained that in his mind, his performance wasn’t as good as his line may have suggested. As Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) noted in his most recent post for The Heater blog, Cobb has unorthodox mechanics to begin with and is trying to rediscover the proper feel without knowing whether he is off as part of his ongoing return from May 2015 Tommy John surgery, or because he is just going through the normal spring training ups and downs.

It’s a complete feel/mindset type of thing, Cobb Said. Micro-fractions of inches here or there change everything down at home plate. … Obviously it’s taken a little longer than I wish.


(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)

— Jamie Schultz is making a legitimate bid to be a part of the 2017 bullpen. The right-hander, who now has punched out nine batters this spring, entered the game in the eighth inning and fanned the side on 11 pitches (10 strikes). His fastball hit 98 miles per hour multiple times. Schultz has been a starter throughout his minor league career, although he told Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) he feels comfortable relieving.


(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)

Rays manager Kevin Cash was impressed by Schultz’s ability to punch out three batters (all looking) with a power fastball and a pair of strike three sliders.


(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)

— Also making a bid for the Opening Day roster is left-hander Justin Marks. Topkin writes that the need for another left-handed reliever could be alleviated with the promotion on Marks.

With Xavier Cedeno the only lefty assured of a job in the bullpen the Rays are looking for another and Marks, who made a September cameo last year, could pitch his way into the conversation, writes Topkin. Sunday was his third outing, and he has yet to allow a run or a walk in 3 2/3 innings, with four hits. The only other candidate in camp is veteran LHP Dana Eveland, whom the Rays had last year, though they are also looking outside.

— Topkin also wrote about Brad Miller’s seeming easy transition to second base, saying:

I’ll reserve the right to say differently later, but Brad Miller has looked like he’ll handle the move to second base well. Miller has been working hard in drills, and to this point looks like he has the positioning down and can handle the move – from short via first. Snaring a line drive in the first inning and turning a double play to end the third inning Sunday were the latest examples. “It’s different, definitely it’s a different position,” he said. “But I’m trying to keep it as simple as possible and make sure I’m practicing the right way so that in the game it happens.”

Noteworthiness

— According to Jim Bowden (ESPN Baseball Analyst), the Royals, Jays, Mets and Rays are among the teams that have interest in Brett Lawrie according to sources.

— The transition to a new playing surface continues at Tropicana Field.

Leave a comment