The new-look Tampa Bay Rays began Spring Training with postseason aspirations on Sunday. Unlike last season, all 33 pitchers and seven catchers were on hand for the first official workout. According to Kevin Cash the pitchers who threw did well.
However, before the team even took the field Sunday morning, Chris Archer handed out a tone-setting message by educating a pair of top pitching prospects, Jacob Faria and Blake Snell, on the tradition of the Rays staff.
Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wrote about the scene in the clubhouse:
Though Faria and Snell were not late, walking in at 8:28 with a team meeting set to start at 9, Archer, in front of reporters, told them that as minor-leaguers they needed to be there earlier, citing the legacy program passed down to him from James Shields and David Price.
You guys are the last two pitchers here,’ Archer said to them, with a group of reporters in front of his locker. You guys have zero service time. You got no right to be coming in after me, really. I get here super early. I wouldn’t expect you to be here at 6:30, but 8:30?
Archer’s message was heard loud and clear:
@ChrisArcher42 @TBTimes_Rays I’m here to learn from the best because I want to be the best. Appreciate you taking me under your wing Arch
— Jacob Faria (@JDFaria36) February 21, 2016
Talked to #Rays prospects Faria + Snell, both said they appreciated Archer calling them out for arrival time, will be there earlier Monday
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 21, 2016
Otherwise it was reportedly a good overall first day, although the team was handed two unexpected medical matters ― OF Steven Souza Jr. strained an intercostal muscle while taking swings in the batting cage, while C Justin O’Conner sustained a slight herniated disc.
Souza’s injury does not appear serious and he hopes to be ready when the position players begin their workouts on Friday. Officially listed as day-to-day, the Rays will wait a couple days to do an MRI and see how he feels.
Unfortunately for O’Conner, his injury is more serious as the catching prospect is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Though he wasn’t considered to be a candidate for an Opening Day roster spot, the Rays were hoping to see progress this season ― progress that will now be deferred by a month and a half.
Alex Cobb spoke with Topkin and said his recovery from May 2015 Tommy John surgery continues to go well, that he is throwing from a distance of 120 feet with no issues. Cobb expects to start throwing off the mound in mid-March, and is aiming for a late July/early August return to the fold.
We’ll update this piece when who is scheduled to throw a bullpen session is announced.
The New What Next
Day two of workouts for the 33 pitchers and seven catchers in camp. Matt Moore, Jake Odorizzi and Matt Andriese are among the starters scheduled to throw on Monday. Brad Boxberger, Danny Farquhar and Steve Geltz are among the relievers that will have bullpen sessions.
Alex Cobb, Jonny Venters, Neil Wagner and Chase Whitley ― four pitchers that are coming off Tommy John surgery in ― are expected to begin throwing bullpen sessions at some point in March.
As of late Sunday, all but Desmond Jennings, Kevin Kiermaier, Evan Longoria, Juniel Querecuto and Dayron Varona had reported to camp, leaving only five of 64 players that haven’t yet arrived. It’s just as well, the first full squad workout is not until Friday.