Let me turn back the clock to Wednesday afternoon, when the Tampa Bay Rays crushed the Toronto Blue Jays by a score of 9-3? With the loss fresh in their memory, the Jays returned the favor Friday, pounding the Rays 11-5 in an error laden, and home run filled loss. Starter Burch Smith posted a lackluster 3.2 IP/6 ER/6 H/3 BB/1 HBP/3 K/1 HR on 62 pitches (40 strikes) line. The outcome is somewhat deceiving, thanks to a couple of fielding gaffes with Smith was on the mound… cough, and a terrible call by the umpires in the third inning on a botched double play. I digress.
I won’t regale you with all the morose details, though I will remind you that this is only Spring Training.
The New What Next
Jake Odorizzi will make his fourth start of the spring Saturday afternoon when the Rays play the Twins in the fourth game of the 2015 Knutson Challenge. Jeff Beliveau, Brandon Gomes, C.J. Riefenhauser, and Steve Geltz are also slated to pitch.
Rays 3/21/15 Starting Lineup
DeJesus DH
Guyer RF
Cabrera SS
Loney 1B
Jennings LF
Francisco 3B
Franklin 2B
Casali C
Kiermaier CF
Odorizzi RHP
Noteworthiness
— Steven Souza received a precautionary MRI due to right forearm tightness. Souza attempted to make a diving catch in the fourth inning on a sinking liner to right. Souza charged hard before planting his right hand and diving head first toward the line. After firing the ball to the infield following the play, he rolled on the turf in obvious pain.
It was a funky play to begin with, and then when I saw his reaction, I kind of just took my mind off the play, Souza said. We were all getting out of there pretty quick. I didn’t realize the umpire had called the out sign until after I talked to the guys who were kind of huddled around first base.
Souza’s forearm did not stay cramped.
No, it loosened up, Manager Kevin Cash told reporters. He relaxed a lot. It just kind of stunned him for a second. After his at-bat, he was fine, wanting to play, and we’re just like, ‘Let’s be smart here.’
The MRI came back clean and Souza is fine.
— Team officials confirmed Drew Smyly (shoulder tendinitis) will throw off the mound for the first time since March 6, tomorrow. Cash told the reporters,
We would anticipate three or four sessions off the mound and see where that leads us.
— Rene Rivera will not play for several days due to “very minor calf tightness.
— Jake McGee (elbow surgery) threw his second bullpen session of the week Friday.
— Grant Balfour threw 38 pitches Friday in his second round of live batting practice this week. He is scheduled to make his spring debut against the visiting Pirates, Monday.
Everything was very, very good. He felt great, Cash said. Didn’t even realize he threw that many pitches. I asked him how many, and he said 25. He missed by almost 15 pitches.
— The Rays optioned Burch Smith to the minors. With the roster move, the competition for an open spot in the starting rotation is down to Nathan Karns, Matt Andriese, Mike Montgomery and Everett Teaford. Smith pitched twice at Triple-A in 2014. Manager Kevein Cash said Smith needs to be brought along slowly this spring, after Friday’s game.