Charlie Morton, seen washing his hands on Sunday, threw the equivalent of a five-inning outing on Monday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

While Chaz Roe, Andrew Kittredge, Nick Anderson, and Pete Fairbanks pitched in a simulated game/scrimmage at Tropicana Field on Monday, Charlie Morton, Blake Snell, and Anthony Banda pitched outside at an undisclosed location.

Rays manager Kevin Cash attended the offsite workout, which was meant to start getting the players acclimated to the weather, and said he was encouraged by what he saw out of Morton, Snell, and Banda. Morton threw five innings, while Snell tossed three frames, and Banda got in two.

It was very productive. … Definitely the work that Blake, (Banda) and Charlie put in, it was really beneficial.

— Kevin Cash

And while it’s been very hot of late, the Rays skipper said the team will continue to have players work outside, including on Tuesday, weather permitting.

I think that fifth inning, everybody was a little gassed. Rightfully so, it’s extremely hot out there. But there was a benefit to it. We’ll kind of use that as we see fit moving forward.

— Kevin Cash

Back at the Trop, Rays hitters finally had their moment when Daniel Robertson, Joey Wendle, and Ji-Man Choi each went yard.

Robertson started the day with a loud homer off Roe, who otherwise threw well — tossing 12 of 15 pitches for strikes (80% strike rate) while fanning a pair. The right-hander said he threw a lot of cutters during his outing; a pitch that he’s worked on the most during Summer Camp

Roe told Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) he felt good and will pitch again on Wednesday. The homer he allowed he said was the cutter he’s been working worked well, but that particular one backed up a bit.

Wendle was next, taking Anderson deep — albeit after four outs had been recorded — while Choi hit one off of Kittredge. Both hurlers were otherwise sharp, pairing up to throw 11 of 17 strikes (65% strike rate).

Excited to see that Joey Wendle hit a homer. He was really excited and FaceTimed me to tell me, which is in typical Joey fashion.

— Kevin Cash

Even considering the trifecta of long-balls, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff put together some impressive performances thanks in part to Fairbanks, who fanned four of the five batters across two innings of work, including a pair strikeouts against Willy Adames. Fairbanks threw 11 of 14 pitches for strikes (79% strike rate).

Diego Castillo Returns

After missing six days of Summer Camp, thus fueling the speculation of a COVID-19 infection, Diego Castillo returned the Trop on Monday.

Castillo said his absence was the result of personal/family matters at home.

I had to take care of something with my family. We’re here, we’re back.

— Diego Castillo

Castillo is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday and then a live batting practice at some point this week.

Cash is not worried about the absence affecting the right-hander.

Diego has been with us the entire six weeks leading up and throwing bullpens. I think he even had a live (BP) one time, so he’ll be totally fine. But we say that barring setbacks. With most of our one-inning relievers, we don’t see much of an issue, with two weeks to go, to build them up.

— Kevin Cash

Still, six players — Tyler Glasnow, Randy Arozarena, Yonny Chirinos, and José Martínez — haven’t been seen on the field for more than a week. Austin Meadows has been out since the first workout on July 3, while Brendan McKay has not been seen on the mound for more than a week.

The team has not commented on why players were absent, or even if they were working out of sight. Teams have been told not to comment on COVID-19 related issues due to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) concerns unless a player gives explicit permission.

The New What Next

The team is slated to work outside on Tuesday at Tropicana Field. If the weather does hold up, that work will move indoors.

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