After opening Spring Training in Port Charlotte on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays had 48 of 49 players in big-league camp on Monday. The players in attendance took part in an abbreviated workout.
Rays skipper Kevin Cash said that left-hander Brendan McKay didn’t pass the COVID intake protocol and will be delayed. Additionally, centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier — who was excited to arrive at camp given the glut of trade rumors surrounding him — didn’t participate in full due to a stiff neck. Kiermaier didn’t do any fielding drills or take batting practice, although he did shag fly balls. The outfielder should be ready to go in a day or two according to Cash.
Cash was encouraged by what he saw overall, but especially on the infield.
Watching the ground ball session, everybody looked like their athleticism was up to speed, kind of where they left off. Now it’s just getting the reps in and kind of the wear and tear.
— Kevin Cash
Many pitchers participated in bullpen sessions on Monday, including Brooks Raley — who was acquired prior to the lockout — Calvin Faucher, and Taylor Zombro. Cash said the Rays will not use big league pitchers for the three Spring Training games scheduled this weekend, rather those in minor league camp will take the bump.
When starters do get into Grapefruit League ball games, the team is expected to ramp up the pace.
Generally, we have a starter go one inning. We’re hoping that that starter will maybe take on a little larger workload in his first outing and jump to two. But (Pitching Coach) Kyle (Snyder), we all agreed we’re not going to rush these guys. Let’s take our nine days of time, and then we’ll see where we’re at and they’ll start getting in games.
— Kevin Cash
Beyond that, Cash and Snyder will have a better idea of how to approach the pitching side of things as more information rolls in.
We’re just now getting all that information. So he’s trying to put a game plan together for everybody when a bullpen’s thrown, when they can ramp up to a live BP, up-down. So the pitching side will be pretty chaotic as we’re trying to get information.
— Kevin Cash
While Zombro isn’t in major league camp, he pitched in a minor league intrasquad game this morning. It was the first time the right-hander saw game action since being hit by a line drive in June while pitching for the Durham Bulls.
Zombro tossed a perfect frame, striking out one while coaxing a pair of groundouts. He threw nine of 13 pitches for strikes (69% strike rate).
Big to be back in a game-type of environment. Feel good about it. Feels natural. It’s good to be in game situations, two-strike counts, certain pitches you’re trying to execute so definitely felt good to have that mindset.
— Taylor Zombro
Cash was incredibly excited to see Zombro pitch nine months after tragedy struck the hurler.
He’s a special guy. It’s good to see him out on the mound, and I know that he’s got the support of the organization behind him.
— Kevin Cash
Right-hander Andrew Kittredge embarked on an epic road trip, from Tacoma, Washington to Port Charlotte, with his dog and was in attendance Sunday.
It’s not too bad, had a couple good podcasts and a lot of phone calls,” said Kittredge, who’s wife and two and a half year old son will join him later during camp.
— Andrew Kittredge
Corey Kluber, who signed a free-agent with Tampa Bay just before the lockout — was also in camp as he began to get acclimated with his teammates and staff. On Sunday, the right-hander said he isn’t quite starting from scratch since he spoke to several staff members just prior to the lockout.
I think there’s definitely an excitement that you can sense just to be starting again. Everyone’s looking forward to getting started and getting to work.
— Corey Kluber
Kluber mentioned that he is 100% (after a 2021 season marred by injuries) and enters camp with no restrictions.
Speaking of injuries, Tyler Glasnow — who is recovering from Tommy John surgery — is focused on recovering and looking forward to “hopefully coming back this year.”
I feel really good. I’m throwing to 75 feet three days a week. Nothing too crazy but (my) arm’s been bouncing back feeling really good so just looking forward to hopefully coming back this year.
— Tyler Glasnow
Glasnow still has more than a few milestones to reach, before he can retake the mound; he’ll be extended from 75 feet to 90, 105 and 120 before he can gradually build up his pitch count.
Even so, Cash was encouraged by the reports on the right-hander thus far.
Yeah, everything (has been) very, very well. We didn’t have many concerns, because Glas is one of the elite not just pitchers but workers in what he does in between starts. So now he’s got a long (time) in between starts, but he’s — you can bet — pushing himself, and it’s going to be good to gauge.
— Kevin Cash
Expect more of the same tomorrow as the Rays work toward the first game of the spring, on Friday. We should have a better idea of when Brett Phillips will start his pitching routine sometime in the near future.