Sean Rodriguez is expected to play the super-utility role this season. (Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times)
Sean Rodriguez is expected to be used in the super-utility role this season. (Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times)

The Rays will spring back into action today, attempting to put the brakes on a three-game Grapefruit League skid in Sarasota, where they’ll take on Buck Showalter and the Orioles. RHP Jeff Niemann will get the start against the O’s, with Jeremy Hellickson getting a start against the Orioles Class-A minor league squad. Niemann is still vying for the fifth spot in the starting rotation against Roberto Hernandez who’s pitched well this spring. Niemann has pitched well too, allowing only seven hits and two earned runs in eight and a third innings of work.

David Price got some work under his belt yesterday, pitching in a minor league game against the Orioles. Price went five innings and threw 60 pitches, giving up four singles and striking out six walking none. On his outing,

“It’s definitely a little bit tougher,” Price said. “There’s no national anthems, there’s no walk-up songs, there’s no people in the stands. There’s not a whole lot. You have to be kind of self-motivated.”

Rays 3/14/13 Starting Lineup:

Jennings CF
Johnson LF
Longoria 3B
Scott DH
Escobar SS
Joyce RF
Loney 1B
Roberts 2B
Lobaton C
Niemann RHP

Noteworthiness:

  • Joe Maddon gave a few clues of what the potential lineupfor the year may be, though the lineup will assuredly change throughout the course of the season. He did indicate that Desmond Jennings will leadoff, Ben Zobrist will hit second and Evan Longoria will hit in the three-hole.
  • Marc Topkin reported that Sean Rodriguez will be used in a super-utility role this season,” slated for some platoon starts at first and second base and reserve duty at short, third and all three outfield spots, even emergency catcher designation.” Unfortunately for him, Ben Zobrist will be used as the primary super-utility player. We’ll write more on this shortly.

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