Crawford a late scratch
Injuries are hitting the Rays outfield. The second of Tampa Bay's talented trio missed action due to injury Thursday night.
"Maybe I'm a germ," joked Rays centerfielder Rocco Baldelli.
Rays LF Carl Crawford, originally slated to bat leadoff in tonight's game against the Reds, was a late scratch with left groin tightness. The Rays moved CF Elijah Dukes to the ledoff spot and inserted Jonny Gomes in left, hitting eighth.
The team is still awaiting the return of Baldelli, who is out of the starting lineup for the third straight night.
Rays manager Joe Maddon said he still expects Baldelli back in the lineup on either Sunday or Monday, but Baldelli wouldn't give any timetable on his return, but said he'd be ready by Opening Day.
As for Crawford, he said he didn't know how long he'd be out. He will receive daily treatment on the groin and be re-evaluated day by day.
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Jon- I completely agree with you. The only reason I think Norton has value is that he can switch hit. I hope that they keep Gomes on the 25 man and I would love to see them trade Dukes. I just think that no one will touch him.
Posted by: Skeals | March 26, 2007 at 12:31 PM
Marc earlier in the week speculated that Gomes would not make the team. I can see wanting to reward Dukes for his Spring, and that is the future, and getting him out of Durham may be good for his head, but of course that also starts his major league service clock. What I can't see is keeping Greg Norton around given his age. What is the upside of Norton? Gomes from May of 05 through April last year showed he could be an elite power hitter with an adequate OBP even with his Ks. They may be thinking that he can get get going in Durham, and I think they have one or two options on him, but I've got to think that, with some juggled playing time and the flexibility of Iwamura, Cantu, Upton, and Wigginton, the little extra defensive flexibility that Norton gives you isn't needed as much as Gomes power. Norton is the type of guy who should be 24th/25th man on contenders roster. Gomes can still be part of the long run plan.
Posted by: jon averback | March 24, 2007 at 12:22 PM
ROCCO-CC DOWN BUT NOT OUT & THE BEAT GOES ON. THE 15-1 WINS SHOWS THE RAYS HAVE DEPTH,TALENT & STING. WITH SOME REAL LUCK WITH YOUNG PITCHING THEY MAY SURPRISE THE BASEBALL WORLD & MAKE A PLAYOFF RUN. CALL ME CRAZY, LAUGH OR STAY NEGATIVE BUT MY GUT TELLS ME LOOK OUT HERE COME THE RAYS IN 2007. PLAYOFFS, WHATEVER IT TAKES !
Posted by: RICHIE RICARDO | March 24, 2007 at 07:54 AM