Pitchers and catchers got in their first workout of the spring this morning. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

On the first formal day of workouts, 17 pitchers took the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays, throwing their first bullpen sessions of the spring. One of them, RHP Jake Odorizzi, won his arbitration case, and will now earn $4.1-Million in 2017.

Odorizzi, who becomes only the second Ray to win an arbitration hearing during the Sternberg era, was overjoyed by the outcome:

We just felt like what my value was didn’t match what the figure was before the agreement, and that was the turning point about going to arbitration. And it turns out we fought a good fight and won. It’s just nice to have it all done and over with and in the past. Now it’s officially baseball season and we can focus on things as a team …(I’m) kind of overjoyed. It’s just a process where you never know which way it can go, even if you feel good about it. Sometimes arbitrators don’t feel so good about it. It’s good to get the verdict.

All told, 40 of 41 pitchers reported to camp, including Nathan Eovaldi, who the Rays completed a deal with earlier in the day. Catcher Wilson Ramos (knee), the team’s lone no-show, is expected to arrive by Wednesday at the latest due to a family matter.

The best information, it’s family related, Cash told the media. No emergency to my knowledge. It’s really not that big of a concern simply because he’s going to get his physical and probably will spend a lot of time in the training room rehabbing.

In addition to Odorizzi, starters Alex Cobb and Blake Snell both threw bullpen sessions, as did Rule-5 pick Kevin Gadea. Cash was complimentary of Gadea’s ability to fill the strike zone:

Aside from the bullpen sessions, Rays hurlers went back to basics by drilling on PFPs.

Chris Archer, noting all the new faces in camp, spoke with the media on the subject of the Rays’ offseason moves:

I think time’s going to tell. Right now, we don’t know. We’ve got some guys, we don’t know if they’re going to start Opening Day due to injuries. Time will tell. We came into the offseason with a nice nucleus. We subtracted somewhat from that nucleus… but all I can do is focus on pitching and being the best possible teammate I can. And that’s what I plan on doing.

He also pointed out that in order for the team to be more successful, they will need to be more well-rounded:

To win a championship, you have to have everything clicking. And I think it’s time as an organization for us just to say, ‘You know what? We’re a good team. We’re not just a good starting five, we don’t just have a good closer, but we’ve got a good bullpen. We play good defense. We can score runs, and we pitch.

Moving forward, citing the neck issues that ended his 2016 season, LHP Xavier Cedeno will be on a reduced workload early in the spring to keep him stronger during the season.

Scheduled to throw Wednesday are Archer, Alex Colome and Brad Boxberger (among others).

Noteworthiness

— Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wrote that RHP Nathan Eovaldi joined the team after finalizing a deal that includes a $2 million salary this season while he rehabs from August Tommy John surgery and a team option for $2 million next season, with the chance to earn up to $3.5 million in incentives.

The hard-throwing former Yankee said he chose to sign with the Rays based on their strong training staff and reputation for rehabbing pitchers. The Rays feel the investment could pay off big with Eovaldi, 27, as either a starter or reliever.

“We’re going to get him healthy under a very watchful eye,” manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s going to help us at some point later on.”

Even though Eovaldi is headed to the 60-day DL, the Rays had to clear space on the 40-man roster, so knuckleballing RHP Eddie Gamboa was designated for assignment then traded to Texas for cash or a player to be named.

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