The bad news handed down from the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday afternoon, Alex Cobb will miss Opening Day. The good news, however, the team thumped the Toronto Blue Jays by a score of 9-3. While the latter certainly doesn’t supersede the former, seeing what the Rays hitters can do as they continue to get their timing in order is promising.
It was also incredible to see Tampa Bay hand it to Blue Jays starter Mark Buehrle after he dominated Tampa Bay last season, tagging the soft tosser for three runs on seven hits. That they hit four homers (seven in two days) was icing on the cake. Both Evan Longoria and James Loney hit their first homers of the spring in the shellacking.
Longo spoke about the beating they placed upon Buehrle and the Jays,
It’s a little bit of a confidence builder. Buehrle is always tough. I thought we swung the bats pretty well against him. We haven’t had much success against him in the past. Although it’s Spring Training, it’s something we can build on going into the season.
On the heels of the news that he would get the start Opening Day, Chris Archer tossed four strong innings of ball, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out three.
In lieu of a complete game summary, below are a few loose ends that are just begging to be tied:
- Alex Cobb told Bill Chastain (MLB.com) that he is “really disappointed” to miss Opening Day,
I was really excited to kind of take on that honor and be able to take the ball the first day and kind of set the tone. That’s more of a selfish standpoint. If I really look at it and think about what’s best in getting ready for the long haul, the six-month season, this is the best thing I can do to prepare for that.
So it’s just the circumstances that are in front of me and there’s no need to dwell over it and pity myself. It’s just something that I’ve come across and I have to deal with it.
He also noted that he cannot pinpoint when his forearm injury occurred,
Tendinitis is just such a natural occurrence in your body that it could happen at any moment, but maybe I did throw a little too much off the mound [after my previous start], threw too many pitches in bullpen sessions. The Rays do a good job of monitoring our progression in getting ready to get on the mound. You know, I might have overdone it a little bit in a bullpen session.
- On the subject of the hole in the starting rotation, Bradley Woodrum (DRaysBay) writes the Rays need some help with the rotation, but do not want to spend too much. Here’s a few guys they could consider.
- Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) furthered the conversation on the Rays new found pitching challenges, writing the Rays are facing their season start with just two experienced pitchers in the rotation — and not all that experienced — and then having to fill from a group of up-and-coming, but unproven, pitchers.
- As if you couldn’t discern a theme, Matt Silverman also spoke with the media about the state of Alex Cobb.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/3RI0XJ5yoNo”]
The New What Next
Nathan Karns will get the start for the Rays Thursday afternoon against the Minnesota Twins. As was written elsewhere, the right-hander came to camp as a contender for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Now that Alex Cobb, Drew Smyly and Alex Colome are dealing with health issues, he appears a lock to be in the rotation. Also scheduled to take the mound are Kevin Jepsen, Brad Boxberger, Jordan Norberto, and Kirby Yates.
Rays 3/19/15 Starting Lineup
DeJesus LF
Rivera DH
Cabrera SS
Longoria 3B
Francisco 1B
Forsythe 2B
Souza CF
Casali C
Elmore RF
Karns P
Noteworthiness
Additional lineup and roster notes:
- The Rays welcomed Alex Colome back to the fold following his release from hospital, some by covering their faces with their gloves. Colome told Marc Topkin he lost 10-12 pounds in the hospital, and the overall experience was “scary.” He hopes to be throwing by next week.
- Alex Cobb told reporters “I feel way better, and emphasize the way,” after one day of rest and treatment.
- Ronald Belisario (fractured left shoulder) has been cleared to start playing catch today.
- Tampa Bay will have Everett Teaford on the mound in place of Cobb, Sunday, Mike Montgomery will pitch in relief.
- Manager Kevin Cash changed the lineup today because Evan Longoria wanted to play a third straight game, which he said is obviously a good sign.