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Morton impressive in first Spring start; Rays pummel Baltimore, 10-5

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Right-hander Charlie Morton made his debut with the Rays on Friday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After dropping the first four Grapefruit League games of the 2019 season, the Tampa Bay Rays have bounced back and are on a four-game win streak, including yet another shellacking of the Baltimore Orioles, 10-5 on Friday. Charlie Morton made his Rays debut, tossing 1-1/3 perfect innings.

The right-hander threw 11 of 17 pitches for strikes and struck one of the four batters he faced. Morton sat in the 93-95 mph range on his four-seam fastball. He also threw a couple of two-seam fastballs (clocked at 91 mph), not to mention a couple of breaking balls. His lone strikeout came on a high 95 mph fastball.

He threw several more pitches in the bullpen after his outing, telling reporters the plan was to finish the first frame and be efficient enough to face a batter in the second.

We accomplished our goals. I went down and threw a couple more in the bullpen just to get a couple more, and felt good. I got what I needed to out of the day.

– Charlie Morton

At the moment, it isn’t certain when Morton will pitch again because of an off-day on Monday. If he doesn’t take the mound Wednesday, again versus Baltimore, then Morton will likely pitch Thursday against Toronto.

It’s always nice to cross the lines. Go out there, compete and do what you love to do. And also, go out there with the guys, finally.

– Charlie Morton

You can hear the entirety of Morton’s interview courtesy of the Rays Radio SoundCloud player (below).

(Courtesy of Rays Radio)

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay made it difficult for former teammate Alex Cobb, who allowed four runs and could not make it out of the first inning. Austin Meadows started the rally with a four-pitch walk before Daniel Roberton lined a single to right center. Ji-Man Choi followed with an RBI single to right, plating the first run of the game.

Two batters later Kevin Kiermaier drove home a run on a groundout before Guillermo Heredia capped the rally with a two-run blast to left field that landed well beyond the bleachers.

He’s an exciting player. He goes and gets it and when they’re both out there, (Kevin Kiermaier) and Heredia, it’s going to be tough to find grass with the baseball.

– Kevin Cash

Meadows later took Matt Wotherspoon deep in the fourth inning, while Daniel Robertson went 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored on Friday.

Yonny Chirinos, Hunter Wood, Adam Kolarek, Luis Santos, Cole Sulser, and Andrew Kittredge also pitched for Tampa Bay. Kittredge tossed two innings of shutout ball, picking up a strikeout along the way.

The New What Next

The Rays will play a pair of split-squad games on Saturday. They will play host to the Phillies in Port Charlotte – and no, Bryce Harper is not expected to play – with Tyler Glasnow scheduled to make his second start of the Grapefruit League season. Diego Castillo is set to pitch for the third time this Spring. Tommy Pham, Joey Wendle, Avisail Garcia, Robertson, Yandy Diaz, Emilio Bonifacio, Michael Perez, and Andrew Velasquez are scheduled to be in the lineup in Port Charlotte.

In the other game, the travel squad will make its way north to Dunedin to take on former Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo and the Blue Jays. Wilmer Font will get the start in his first appearance since a lat injury ended his season last June. Emilio Pagan and Austin Pruitt also are due to be on the mound. Brandon Lowe, Willy Adames, Austin Meadows, Nate Lowe, Heredia, Kean Wong, Jason Coats, and Nick Ciuffo are scheduled to be in the Rays’ lineup in Dunedin.

Rays 3/2/19 Starting Lineup (vs. the Phillies)

  1. Diaz 1B
  2. Pham LF
  3. Wendle 2B
  4. Garcia RF
  5. Robertson DH
  6. Bonifacio CF
  7. Arroyo 3B
  8. Perez C
  9. Velasquez SS
  10. Glasnow RHP

Rays 3/2/19 Starting Lineup (vs. the Blue Jays)

  1. B. Lowe 1B
  2. Adames SS
  3. Meadows RF
  4. N. Lowe DH
  5. Heredia CF
  6. Wong 3B
  7. Solak 2B
  8. Coats LF
  9. Ciuffo C
  10. Font RHP

Noteworthiness

– Matt Duffy has been scratched from the Rays lineup in Port Charlotte; his left hamstring is not feeling right again.

Notes from the first day of Rays Spring Training

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No. 2 hurler, RHP Charlie Morton, spoke to the media on the first day of camp on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Apologies for the tardiness of this article, which was originally posted on our Tumblr page.

Pitchers and catchers officially reported to camp in Port Charlotte on Tuesday, after 40 players — give or take — worked out on the field on Monday. All told, 41 of the 66 players invited to big league camp are pitchers and catchers, who are slated to work out on Wednesday morning.

The first day of camp is primarily a managerial day. Rays skipper Kevin Cash, Senior Vice President/General Manager Erik Neander, and Senior Vice President Chaim Bloom held their annual media scrum.

Eduardo A. Encina (Tampa Bay Times) listed five things gleaned from the presser:

1. The opener is here to stay

Cash said that the team plans to enter the season with three starting pitchers — Blake Snell, Charlie Morton, and Tyler Glasnow, in no particular order — and use the opener strategy with the other two spots.

We certainly value our players quite a bit, and I think looking at what these guys did, whether it was the opener or the bulk guy that followed, they had pretty special seasons. … They bought in, and we’re going to need that again, but I also think they also value and cherish winning games, and that helped us to win games.

We have a young roster, added Neander. They’re willing to do whatever I think is asked of them, and trust. I think they appreciate the trust they have in Kevin and the staff to put them in the best position to succeed and we saw what is possible when we have that in place. The way last year went and the success they had, it helps going into this year that the intent behind that is to win games.

2. If there’s any pressure to build on last season, it’s not coming from Kevin Cash

The Rays’ second-half surge put them in the playoff picture in September and while their 90-win finish left them out of the second AL Wild Card spot, but there doesn’t appear to be any pressure from within entering this season. Cash made it clear. The Rays realize the division they are in, one that saw the Red Sox and Yankees record triple-digit wins on their way to the postseason, and he hopes the team’s young nucleus will handle any added expectations in the same way they did last season, but also benefit from the experience of being immersed in meaningful late-season baseball.

I think we’ll control them from inside, Cash said. From being around these young guys that didn’t have a ton of experience who really carried themselves really well in some high-pressure environments at the end of the year playing in some exciting ballparks in just a lot of tight ballgames. I expect we’ll learn from that and continue to grow and put it to use.

3. Don’t expect a flurry of spring training trades like last season

There’s no question that last year, the opening part of camp was different than most, Bloom said. Our whole goal here has been to get to the point where we had a core of players that could compete in the division and compete for the postseason and that we could roll forward with. And if you look at what happened on the field last year and started to take shape as the year went on, we certainly feel that is something that’s building here. You never tune out completely the possibility of some kind of move, but we’re at the point where we want to be competing for the postseason, so anything we do will be with that in mind.

4. Rays will look at many players at first base

After trading Jake Bauers, the Rays enter spring with the first base position unsettled. Right-handed hitting Yandy Diaz, the key piece coming back in the Bauers deal, and left-handed hitting Ji-Man Choi will offer a platoon option at the position. Brandon Lowe — who played second and both corner outfield spots last season — should also see time at reps and rising prospect Nate Lowe will also see some time there. The spring training reps will be important to see who will be the best fit defensively, especially given most players in that group aren’t considered natural first basemen.

We’re going to learn a lot about first base, Cash said. We all talk about how much we care about our defense and securing the baseball and that’s a big spot. I think the more information we get on how these guys complement the rest of our infielders will be really beneficial through spring training.

5. Right now, there’s no defined closer, and that’s no big deal

Cash said there’s no urgency to name a closer, and added that late-inning arms like Jose Alvarado and Diego Castillo could be used in the ninth or earlier into the game depending on the game. With Sergio Romo gone, no Rays reliever has more than Alvarado’s eight saves, and Alvarado was used in a variety of situations.

We’ve had this conversation many times over many years and I personally like the flexibility, you can win games in the sixth, seventh, eighth inning, Cash said. Why wait? We’ve got a bunch of guys we feel will find their way into the ninth inning and have success. … They’re special pitchers and to know we have those two arms complemented by some other guys whether its Ryan Stanek and Chaz Roe, we’re confident that they can continue doing what they can do and we can continue to match up with them however we see fit.

No. 2 hurler, Charlie Morton, drove to Port Charlotte from his home in Bradenton. The right-hander had positive things to say about his new team, saying:

Being at home definitely makes it easier because I know I’m going to see my family at home. That’s I guess, calming, comforting. So that makes it easier.

Morton spent Tuesday getting acclimated in his new setting.

This is where you have to kind of be cognizant of who you’re talking to, trying to remember names, and leave a decent first impression … Just trying to get a feel for the facility. And get going tomorrow.

You can listen to his interview (below) courtesy of Rays Radio:

This happened:

Tampa Bay Rays sweep split squad games on Friday, 6-3

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The Tampa Bay Rays started the Grapefruit League season with a pair of 6-3 split-squad wins on Friday. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays kicked off the Grapefruit League season with a pair of 6-3 wins on Friday, beating the Pirates in Port Charlotte and the Orioles in Sarasota.

In Port Charlotte, Brad Miller kicked off his comeback campaign with a two-RBI opposite-field double off the wall in left, and some solid glove work at first base — this despite suffering, and subsequently playing through, a fractured pinky toe on Thursday.

He looked really good, said manager Kevin Cash after the game. He’s looked really good. And to see him driving the ball that far the other way, it’s a good sign.

After posting sub Mendoza-Line numbers in his 2017 campaign, Miller knows there is a lot to prove:

It’s good getting back out there, Miller said. Getting your timing down as a hitter, and just kind of getting on your feet in the field. … All-in-all a good day.

Cash was also pleased with the defensive play of Daniel Robertson at second base, a solid 1-1/3 scoreless inning performance by Austin Pruitt, and Diego Castillo — the Rays minor-league reliever of the year for his work at Double-A and Triple-A — who posted a 1-2-3 scoreless eighth; hitting the upper ’90s with his fastball.

That’s kind of him, Cash said of Castillo, who makes pitching look effortless. He doesn’t look like he’s letting it go that much but it sure comes out pretty good.

Robertson made several sterling defensive plays at second, one to take away a potential run in the third. The infielder was hit on the left hand with a pitch in the fourth inning, his final plate appearance, but said he was fine, albeit “with just a little bruising.”

Cash said they plan to try Robertson in the outfield soon to potentially expand his duties.

At the plate, Tampa Bay took the lead in the third inning, crossing home four times to erase an early one-run deficit. Kevin Kiermaier drove in the first two runs with a bloop single, while Miller capped the rally with the aforementioned two-run double. Adeiny Hechavarria homered and Brett Sullivan singled home a run in the sixth, capping the scoring.

Meanwhile, in Sarasota, Yonny Chirinos set the tone with a pair of scoreless frames. Chirinos, one the candidates for a multi-inning relief role, began tinkering with a split-finger fastball toward the end of last season. And while the pitch is a work in progress — he is still working on the grip — the new pitch reportedly looked good Friday, as he retired six straight after allowing a leadoff single to ex-Ray Tim Beckham.

It’s still a developing offering, pitching coach Kyle Snyder said, but he does he feel a lot more confident in that than the changeups. … It has swing-and-miss potential. It’s a groundball option.

Micah Johnson got things off to a good start in Sarasota, working a 12-pitch walk. Willy Adames drove in the first run on a sacrifice-fly, while Nick Ciuffo and Kevin Padlo drove in a pair of runs each — Padlo on a two-run homer. The Rays held Baltimore scoreless until the ninth inning, when they scored three against Tampa Bay’s minor league talent.

The New What Next

The Rays will take the show up to Ft. Myers on Saturday, where they will face AL East rivals, the Boston Red Sox. Jake Faria, Matt Andriese, Dustin McGowan, Ryan Yarbrough, Chaz Roe, Jose Alvarado, Evan Scribner and Jose Mujica are slated to pitch in the matinee ball-game.

Rays 2/24/18 Starting Lineup

(Photo Credit: Neil Solondz/Rays Radio)

Noteworthiness

Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) made mention of a few miscellaneous, yet noteworthy, items:

— The new mound visit rules were a slight issue in the opener when the umps stopped Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage from going to the mound because the catcher had already been out. They said it would then have been a second visit and he would have had to take out the pitcher. “There’s a little bit of confusion right now on how the visits go and when you get docked a visit,” Cash said. “It seems like there’s been some mixed messages.”

— Christian Arroyo,  the Hernando High product acquired from the Giants, won’t play the first couple games but says he’s actually ahead of schedule in return from offseason hand issue. He is set to take first live BP on Saturday and proceed from there.

— Anthony Banda, acquired Tuesday from Arizona, threw a live BP session, impressing with his arm stroke and delivery.

— Daniel Hudson, acquired Thursday from Pittsburgh, is expected to join the Rays on Saturday. He passed on the opportunity to ride the Pirates’ team bus down from Bradenton on Friday.

Rays add Austin Pruitt to Opening Day roster; Baseball Forever season kickoff celebration

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Austin Pruitt will break camp with the Tampa Bay Rays as a reliever. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

The Tampa Bay Rays made more roster decisions on Thursday, announcing that Austin Pruitt will make the team as a reliever. Pruitt, who has never pitched at the big league level, was added to the 40-man roster for the first time this offseason.

With Pruitt added to the 25-man roster, Jaime Schultz and Chase Whitley were both optioned to Triple-A Durham. Manager Kevin Cash said Schultz — and his high-octane fastball — will be a reliever with the Bulls, while Whitley is expected to start, although he could be called up to pitch in relief.

Pruitt walked just 27 and fanned 149 in 162-2/3 innings with Durham last seas0n, earning him a spot on the All-Star roster. The right-hander was thrilled by the decision:

Im definitely surprised. This is an absolute dream come true. I can’t believe this is going on.


(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)

As of now, it appears the six relievers who will break camp with the Rays on Opening Day are:

Xavier Cedeno
Alex Colome
Danny Farquhar
Tommy Hunter
Austin Pruitt
Erasmo Ramirez

Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team will make its final decisions on the remaining bullpen spot on Friday or Saturday, with Jumbo Diaz likely to be the final choice if the Rays don’t make any other additions from outside. As we noted last night Nick Franklin, Daniel Robertson, Peter Bourjos and Mallex Smith are competing for the final three bench spots.

You’re invited to Opening Day with Baseball Forever

From the official press release:

Please join us this Sunday, April 2 – Tampa Bay Rays Opening Day – at the official Baseball Forever tent set up at Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Wear your Baseball Forever gear, share your Tampa Bay Rays pride and spread the word to keep the Rays in St. Pete. Opening Day draws a big crowd of enthusiastic fans – a timely opportunity to reach people who may not be aware of the initiative.

Thank you all for your support. See you Sunday! #RaysUp #BaseballForever

More information at www.baseballforever.com

Archer solid in final spring tuneup, Rays’ injury news, and Dinosaur Jr.

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The Tampa Bay Rays took on the Minnesota Twins in Ft. Myers on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

With Spring Training on the wind down, Chris Archer took the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays in his final Grapefruit League start of the season. Despite nine combined and solid pitched innings of baseball, the Rays fell 1-0 to the Minnesota Twins.

Takeaways from Tuesday’s ball game:

— Archer looked ready for Opening Day, throwing 39 pitches (27 strikes) and allowing just one hit and a walk while fanning four. Archer’s fastball looked good, with an average velocity sitting at 96 mph, and he located his slider and his improved changeup. Overall, Archer has been efficient this spring, and has allowed just three earned runs in 13-2/3 innings while striking out 17.

The right-hander was pleased with his spring performance, and justifiably so.

I came in with a couple of goals, and I think I achieved those goals, said Archer. Now I’m looking forward to April 2 and kicking this thing off right.


(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)

— Derek Norris made his debut with the Rays and went 1-3 at the plate, and threw out a runner trying to swipe second. He was pleased by his seven inning debut:


(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)

— Daniel Robertson continued his push for a spot on the Opening Day roster, collecting two of Tampa Bay’s five hits. Rays beat writer Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) is impressed with both Robertson and RHP Austin Pruitt:

What I like about this is the Rays normally do not begin the year with rookies on the roster. They would rather not start their arbitration clock so early, and they’d rather the kids work up a sweat at Durham before joining the big club.

Now, they might send both back to Durham. But that we’re just days away from Opening Day and two rookies (along with RHP Jaime Schultz) have a chance to break camp with the team shows the farm system might be ready to spit out a few more major leaguers. The Rays constantly talk about how the farm system is the life blood of the organization. It would be nice to see it churn out a few who actually contribute.

Rays manager Kevin Cash also is a fan of Robertson:

Robby’s having a pretty solid spring.

— Alex Cobb remains on schedule to pitch the third game of the season on April 5, even after skipping Sunday’s start because of lower back tightness. Cobb told the Tampa Bay Times his back felt better Tuesday, and was confident it would not — “Not at all” — disrupt his schedule.

He is expected to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, and make his final spring start on Friday in Clearwater.

— Also on the injury front, Tim Beckham is on track to be the Opening Day shortstop, despite irritation in his right hip flexor that kept him away from game action on Sunday. He is slated to return to the fold Wednesday.

— Matt Duffy told the Times his surgically repaired left heel was feeling “really good” and “normal” after four days of rest in a hard cast, following an MRI and doctor exam that showed no issues.

The Rays will slowly build Duffy up, with no set target date to start playing rehab games, or appear in a regular-season game.

Step one is complete. It feels good, Duffy said. Now Step two is strengthening it for a while and continuing to feel good.

— Two non-roster invitees, Rickie Weeks and Tommy Hunter, were informed that they will make the Opening Day roster as members of the team.

Weeks has taken on a mentor role this spring, providing leadership to some of the younger players on the team, like Tim Beckham. He also adds a veteran presence to the clubhouse. He will platoon first base with Logan Morrison, especially against left handed pitching.

Weeks will make $1.5-million this season, with the chance to make $600-thousand more in incentives.

Hunter, a major league veteran of nine seasons, will help out in back end of the Rays bullpen. He will make a base salary of $1.4-million, with the chance of $1.5-million more in incentives.

Since Tampa Bay has a full 40-man roster, two moves will have to be made before the team takes the field on Sunday.

The New What Next

The Rays play host the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday at Charlotte Sports Park. Erasmo Ramirez will get the start opposite Baltimore’s Opening Day pitcher Kevin Gausman. Also scheduled to toe the rubber are Xavier Cedeno, Alex Colome, Jaime Schultz, Tommy Hunter, and Jumbo Diaz.

Rays 3/29/17 Starting Lineup

Bourjos CF
Norris DH
Longoria 3B
Dickerson LF
Weeks 1B
Souza RF
Beckham SS
Franklin 2B
Sucre C
Ramirez RHP

Baseball bloggers…they’re just like us

X-Rays Spex was on hand last night at the State Theater, where we watched one of the greatest rock bands of the last 30 years — Dinosaur Jr. If you’re not familiar with the band that influenced practically every modern punk and indie band, including My Bloody Valentine and Nirvana, well…uh, my sympathies to you.