No deals, no problem

The Rays didn't make any trades by Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline, but executive VP Andrew Friedman said that was not a bad thing.

"We had a few conversations today that yielded more discussions but I wouldn't charecterize anything as having gotten close,'' Friedman said. "But just as we maintained the last couple days, if something would have presented itself yesterday or today that we felt like made sense then we were going to be aggressive to do so and if not we were extremely content with the moves we have made, and feel like we have made the team better for 2007 and 2008.''

Relievers Al Reyes and Dan Wheeler are considered the prime targets, but the Rays were seeking a lot back since both pitchers are under their control for next season. They apparently talked about a few other players as well.

Crawford in lineup

Not that there was much question based on his walkoff homer Monday, but LF Carl Crawford is in the lineup Tuesday.

And with minutes until the deadline no signs of a trade.
The full squad:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Young, rf
Harris, 2b
Gomes, dh
Paul, c
Zobrist, ss

Deadline deals?

With the clock ticking toward today's 4 p.m. deadline for nonwaiver deals, there hasn't yet been much news from the Devil Rays or anyone else - Yankees reliever Scott Proctor looks to be going to the Dodgers, and Joel Piniero from the Red Sox to the Cardinals. That's not surprising as team officials are huddled to go over options heading into the final hours of free market dealing, with the usual late afternoon flurry expected.

The Rays hold two interesting chips in veteran relievers Al Reyes and Dan Wheeler, and while they are willing to talk about both they are going to have to presented with a strong offer to do anything, such as Seattle catching prospect Jeff Clement. There are a number of teams interested - and more or less depending on who you believe.

The Mariners have been considered most interested in Reyes, but almost all the contenders - Mets, Yankees, Indians  for sure - are possibilities, and other teams can emerge in the final hours depending on what other deals they make. And the Braves could be if their deal for Octavio Dotel doesn't go through. By getting Proctor, the Dodgers would appear to be out of the market for Wheeler, as had been rumored.

While most of the focus has been on the two relievers, the Rays could have a couple of other smaller pieces available that might help a contender fill a bench spot, such as backup catcher Josh Paul and outfielder Jonny Gomes. There has been surprisingly little talk about 1B Carlos Pena despite his impressive season.

There have been a few whispers about injured OF Rocco Baldelli and troubled OF Elijah Dukes, and the cursory mention of All-Star Carl Crawford.

Today's St. Louis Post-Disptach throws out an interesting idea, and we repeat it here noting that former Rays farm director Cam Bonifay now works for the Cardinals and has been at the Trop often:

"Tampa Bay has told clubs that it has no untouchable players, which would suggest lefthander Scott Kazmir is available. Kazmir, 23, long has been touted as a cornerstone for the Devil Rays' future and would command a package of players."

That would have to be quite a package.

Crawford okay after all

For a guy who said his right wrist was still too sore to do much with the bat, Carl Crawford took a pretty good swing in the 11th inning Monday, blasting a walkoff homer to win the game.

Niemann hurt?

RHP Jeff Niemann, the Rays most advanced starting pitching prospect, left his start for Triple-A Durham tonight after throwing just five pitches to the first batter.
The Rays said he was removed from the game "as a precaution due to right shoulder fatigue.'' He will be examined further but the Rays said "early reports are fairly positive.''
Niemann had an 11-5 record and 3.82 in what had been his first injury-free pro season, and recently had the honor of not only being selected for the All-Star Futures Game but starting for the U.S. team.

No more deals - for now ...

Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said the volume of calls has increased considerably with Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline for nonwaiver trades approaching, but as of 6:30 on Monday: "I wouldn't characterize anything as "close" or even likely to happen.''

The Rays are making calls and fielding calls, with closer RHP Al Reyes a prime topic of conversation. Interest in Reyes could increase as the night goes on if, as rumored, closers Octavio Dotel (to the Braves) and Eric Gagne are traded.

Crawford still out, Harris moved to second

All-Star LF Carl Crawford said the MRI on his sore right wrist didn't show any serious injuries, but he was still in pain and would miss at least one more game. Crawford was in the batting cage on the field at around 3:30 taking a few somewhat controlled swings and said he didn't feel right: "It still hurts a little.''
Crawford said he hopes to return to the lineup on Tuesday (when the Rays face former batboy Jesse Litsch), and that watching games from the bench is "just as bad as standing out in leftfield when we're losing 17-4.''

Meanwhile, Brandon Harris has been moved from shortstop, where he started for the last 3 1/2 month, to second base. Ben Zobrist gets his first start since coming back tonight at SS, and manager Joe Maddon said he will use Zobrist and Josh Wilson at shortstop, splitting time based on that day's pitching matchup. "Shortstop by committee,'' Maddon said.

RHP Dan Wheeler, the Rays new reliever, is here and ready for action as well. And, for those who like reading into things, he was given the number he wores in Houston - 35, which earlier this seaon was used by none other than troubled OF Elijah Dukes.

No word yet on additional trades, but exec VP Andrew Friedman will addess the media soon. He was to do so during Rays batting practice, then asked for a delay untl around 6:15, which could mean he has news.

The lineup, which includes three hitters at the bottom with a combined average of .541 (Navarro .193, Norton .189, Zobrist .159) :

Iwamura,3b
Harris, 2b
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Young, rf
Gomes, lf
Norton, dh
Navarro, c
Zobrist, ss

 

Crawford out again ....

So the Devil Rays get some relief help and now their offense is shorthanded. All-Star LF Carl Crawford is not in the lineup again today as the result of a sore right wrist and - though he is available for pinch-running and late-inning defense - the Rays won't know until Monday evening if he can return to the lineup for the series opener with Toronto. The wrist is more sore when Crawford swings.

Without Crawford, the Rays will have an even tougher time with Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka today in a marquee matchup with Scott Kazmir. Ben Zobrist is expected to be here though. And with new reliever Dan Wheeler not expected to report until Monday and Grant Balfour and Al Reyes likely unavailable, the bullpen may be a little thin today too.

The lineup:

Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Young, rf
Gomes, lf
Norton, dh
Navarro, c
Wilson, 2b
Kazmir, p

Wigginton traded for relief pitcher Wheeler

The Rays have already reshuffled their lineup today and now they have traded Ty Wigginton to Houston for relief pitcher Dan Wheeler.

About 40 minutes before tonight's scheduled first pitch, Wigginton was scratched from the Rays starting lineup, a sign that he was dealt.

Wheeler, who began his big-league career with the Devil Rays, is 1-4 with a 5.07 ERA and 11 saves in 45 games with the Astros. Last season, he was 3-5 with nine saves and an impressive 2.52 ERA working under current Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey.

Wheeler, a Seminole resident, is also the son-in-law of Rays TV announcer Dewayne Staats.

Also, SS Ben Zobrist wasn't in the starting lineup for Triple-A Durham Saturday, a sign that he might be the one to take Wigginton's space as a position player on the Rays' roster.

Cantu traded to Reds for two minor-leaguers

The Rays continued to clear out players no longer part of their plans, Saturday shipping 2005 team MVP INF Jorge Cantu to Cincinnati. In return, the Rays got two minor-league pitchers, lefty Brian Shackelford, who is 0-5, 4.96 in 41 games at Triple-A Louisville, and righthander Calvin Medlock, who is a combined 4-3, 3.39 at Double-A and Triple-A. Both will reprt to Triple-A Durham.
Agent Steve Canter said Cantu was "very happy and very excited" about the new opportunity. Ironically, Cantu will play for the Reds' Triple-A Louisville team against the Rays' Durham team tonight. (And singled in his first at-bat.)
Cantu hit .286 with 28 homers and 117 RBIs for the Rays in 2005, but struggled with injuries and inconsistency last season and has spent most of this year in the minors.

Camp dumped, CC out

Rays sent down struggling reliever Shawn Camp on Saturday as they made room for new reliever Grapnt Balfour, who joined the team on Saturday. Also LF Carl Crawford is not in the lineup due to a sore right wrist but is available to play defense or pinch-run.

McClung traded

The Rays traded RHP Seth McClung to Milwaukee for RHP Grant Balfour, who will join them Saturday.

JP is back, Riggans out, Casanova gone....

Josh Paul was activated and Raul Casanova was designated, but the biggest catching news was that Shawn Riggans underwent season ending elbow surgery to remove a loose body. Recovery time is three months.
Trade rumors continue to swirl around INF Ty Wigginton.
The lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Young, rf
Harris, ss
Wigginton, 2b
Gomes, dh
Navarro, c
Hammel, p

Upton leaves game ....

Once again just when you wonder what could next go wrong for the Devil Rays, their hottest player, CF B.J. Upton, left Thursday's game in the seventh inning.

The good news, apparently, is that it is not an an aggravation of the left quad strain that sidelined him for five weeks, but, according to the Rays, was cramps in his back, legs and hamstrings as a result of dehydration.He got two bags of IV fluids and said he'd be fine to play Friday.

Upton was not obviously injured, but after he and others chased a seventh-inning popup, assistant trainer Paul Harker and manager Joe Maddon went out to check on him and after a short conversation removed him from the game.

In his first 12 games back from the DL, Upton hit .409 with nine runs, 10 walks and 10 RBIs.

Morning after ...

As the Rays still try to sift through the "I got it, you take it" tragi-comedy that cost them Wednesday's game, they have been back at Camden Yards since 10 a.m. preparing for today's game against the Orioles. The Rays have lost eight straight in Baltimore, by the way, and have Edwin Jackson on the mound.

Maddon said the Rays don't need extra work on fundamentals because the mistake was so basic, though he did say the players need to be reminded of their responsibilities, such as LF Carl Crawford saying he didn't necessarily think that was his ball to catch.

The lineup is similar to last night's but with Josh Wilson at short (on a scheduled day off for Brendan Harris) and Dioner Navarro back behind the plate. Maddon talked a lot pregame about the anticipated return Friday of Josh Paul, and suggested he may play more than a typical backup to Navarro.

The other big topic is trade talk, with INF Ty Wigginton just as interested as anyone to hear the latest rumors about where he might be headed. The Red Sox joined the field over the last couple days, and the Twins and Dodgers are among those in, though the Yankees seem to have what the Rays want in reliever Scott Proctor.

The lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1B
Young, rf
Wiggintin, 2b
Gomes, dh
Navarro,m c
Wilson, ss

Wigginton a popular commodity ...

As Tuesday's trade deadline nears, INF Ty Wigginton's time with the Rays could be growing short.
At least four teams, the Dodgers, Red Sox, Twins and Yankees, have expressed serious interest, and others may soon.
What do the Rays want? Some relief. Like Scott Proctor from the Yankees? Or one, or a couple, of the young pitchers stockpiled in Boston, L.A. and Minnesota.
While the Rays are looking for relievers, they could also trade one as several teams have expressed interest in Al Reyes. Other potential trade candidates include INF Jorge Cantu, RHP Edwin Jackson, C Josh Paul and 1B Carlos Pena, but the Rays have had talks about a number of major-  and minor-league players.

Trying again ....

The Rays lineup will have a slightly different look tonight with Ty Wigginton and Jonny Gomes involved. The lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Young, rf
Harris, ss
Wigginton, 2b
Gomes, dh
Casanova, c
Sonnanstine, rhp

Salas claims innocence ...

Reliever Juan Salas rejoined the Rays for the first time since serving his 50-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, but said he didn't intentionally do anything wrong.
Salas, speaking in Spanish with bullpen coach Bobby Ramos translating, suggested the positive test was the result of some type of drink, such as a supplement or energy drink, he had in his native Dominican Republic before reporting to spring training.
“It was an accident,’’ Salas said. "I was not aware. I didn’t do it knowing what was going on. It must have been something in a drink. I don’t know.’’
Salas, the first, and thus far only, big-leaguer to be caught this season, said when he was told of the violation: “I was totally shocked that happened. … I’ve been in the game for a while and I never had this kind of problem.’’
Manager Joe Maddon said he didn't expect Salas to face any issues from teammates or opponents and put him right to work, bringing him in to pitch in the seventh inning Tuesday with the bases loaded.

Crawford's back

LF Carl Crawford is back in the lineup after missing the last 2 1/2 games with a sprained left ankle.Also, Jason Hammel will go into the rotation and start Friday.
Otherwise the Rays have what looks to be their regular lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Young, rf
Harris, ss
Norton, dh
Navarro, c
Wilson, 2b

Off-day moves

During their off day today, the Rays placed reliever Jay Witasick on the 15-day disabled list and optioned LHP J.P. Howell to Triple-A Durham, recalling RHP Jason Hammel and RHP Juan Salas from Durham.

It appears that Hammel, who allowed two runs on three hits through four innings starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader and was then optioned back to Durham to resume starting, will likely take over as the team's fifth starter.

Howell's return to the starting rotation offered little success. He allowed seven runs on 10 hits in five innings in the night game of Saturday's doubleheader and is 1-4 with a 7.36 ERA in eight starts with the Rays.

The move also marks the big-league return of Salas to a beleagured bullpen in need of help. Salas was suspended 50 games for violating MLB's joint drug prevention and treatment program. He was reinstated from the restricted list July 3 and pitched to a 2.08 ERA and a .161 opponents batting average in eight games at Durham.

Salas -- who was selected to join the club over other options like Seth McClung, Chad Orvella and Jeff Ridgway -- might be an immediate candidate to pitch in the late innings.

Monday blues ....

As the Rays spend Monday's off-day in Baltimore trying to forget out the woeful weekend in New York, team officials (again) will be discussing the possibility of changes to the pitching staff.

One issue is reliever RHP Jay Witasick, who was to fly back to Florida this morning to have his right elbow checked by Dr. Koco Eaton. If Witasick is hurt and goes on the DL, the Rays seem likely to put Jason Hammel back on the roster and possibly into the rotation.

Another issue is how long LHP Casey Fossum will be away attending to the birth of his third child. His wife is scheduled to have labor induced on Tuesday, so he could miss a couple games.

The Rays could also consider bringing up some relievers from the minors, where the options include Seth McClung, Chad Orvella and Jeff Ridgway.

But the problem is that they already have 13 pitchers on the staff and are probably going to reduce the staff by one as soon as Fossum gets back because they've been playing with only three extra position players (two since Carl Crawford was hurt in Saturday's day game).

Some good news is that the Rays seem confident Crawford's mildly sprained left ankle is better and he  will be back in the lineup Tuesday.

Sunday morning: No C.C. and Hammel may be back ....

Carl Crawford is out until at least Tuesday, Jay Witasick is unsure of how badly his right elbow is hurt and the Rays are banking on a gem from James Shields on Sunday as they escape from New York.
RHP Jason Hammel, unexpectedly optioned to the minors on Saturday, was back in the clubhouse and could end up staying with the team if Witasick goes on the DL, and probably would go into the rotation, which could mean a short stay for J.P. Howell.

With only a two-man bench (Raul Casanova and Greg Norton), here is the lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Young,rf
Wigginton,dh
Gomes, lf
Navarro, c
Wilson, 2b

Witasick hurt too ....

RHP Jay Witasick said he felt something odd in his right elbow early in what became a 47-pitch sixth inning and noticed some swelling (which grew to the size of a golf ball), but with the Rays short on arms he was determined to finish the inning.
Today he’ll find out the extent of the damage and is likely headed to the disabled list.
Witasick felt something unusual after throwing the second of two breaking balls but was able to continue to throw his fastball, and he didn’t say anything when pitching coach Jim Hickey went to the mound.
“There was no coming out of the game,’’ Witasick said. “I don’t care. These are old parts.’’

Crawford has "mild" left ankle sprain, Hammel new address

Rays All-Star LF Carl Crawford was removed from Saturday's matinee after the fourth inning due to what the team said was a "mild" left ankle sprain and seems likely to be sidelined until Tuesday. Also, the Rays made something of a surprise move after the game, sending RHP Jason Hammel back to Triple-A to return to starting, and keeping RHP Jae Kuk Ryu to work out of the bullpen.
Crawford said x-rays were negative but he "probably" wouldn't play until Tuesday - meaning he'd miss the Saturday night and Sunday games in New York. Monday is an off-day and the Rays play Tuesday in Baltimore.
"I don't think it's bad or nothing,'' Crawford said. "I don't think I'm going to be on the DL or nothing like that, that's for sure.''
Crawford appeared to jam his left ankle beating out an infield single in the third inning, and when he later advanced to third base Rays manager Joe Maddon and trainer Ron Porterfield came out of the dugout to check on him, but he waved them off. Crawford played the field in the third and fourth innings, but when his turn in the order came up in the fifth, with a man on second and no outs, he was removed for pinch-hitter Greg Norton, who also replaced him in leftfield. Jonny Gomes will play left in Saturday's night game.
"It was throbbing and aching both - just uncomfortable,'' Crawford said.
The Rays are already short on position players, opting to go with a three-man bench and a 13-man staff for the four-games-in-three days weekend in New York.

Saturday in the park, part one

For Saturday's first game, manager Joe Maddon is resting 3B Akinori Iwamura and C Dioner Navarro, with both expected to start the night game. For the matinee, Ty Wigginton is at third and Raul Casanova behind the plate.

Also, though it seems the Rays are likely to send RHP Jae Kuk Ryu right back to the minors to make room for Game 2 starter J.P. Howell, there's a chance they could do something different. One complication is that LHP Casey Fossum's wife is due to deliver a baby any day and Fossum would be gone for a couple days so the Rays don't want to be short on pitching. As it is, they have 13 pitchers and a three-man bench.

Game 1 lineup:

Harris, ss
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1B
Young, rf
Wigginton, 3B
Gomes, dh
Casanova, c
Wilson, 2b

Sternberg backs Maddon

Manager Joe Maddon has taken a lot of criticism from fans, but he got a strong endorsement from principal owner Stuart Sternberg. "Joe's done a good job,"" Sternberg said. "It's not easy being upbeat or positive with all this and he has been.The players seem to be playing for him and they seem to be responding. Guys are hustling. ... It's no one person's fault here."

Live from New York ....

Manager Joe Maddon is sending out what appears to be his regular, or close to , lineup for Friday's game.
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Young, rf
Harris, ss
Wigginton, 2b
Norton,dh
Navarro, c

Rays add pitchers, send Cantu down, designate Mohr

Following Thursday's game, the Rays -- in an attempt to bolster their bullpen for four games in three days at Yankee Stadium this weekend, recalled two pitchers from Triple-A Durham: RHP Jae Kuk Ryu and RHP Scott Dohmann. To make room, the Rays optioned 1B/DH Jorge Cantu, the team's MVP two seasons ago, to Durham and designated reserve outfielder Dustan Mohr for assignment.

Day after night

Didn't it seem like we were just here a few hours ago? Oh yeah we were. Just 14 hours, seven minutes after the Rays beat the Angels Wednesday night, we have a 12:10 p.m. start here at the Trop for the series finale against the Angels. Rays manager Joe Maddon gave SS Brendan Harris the day off, giving the team a look at Josh Wilson at SS, and C Raul Casanova is alson in the starting lineup. But the top-five remain the same.

The full lineup:
Iwamura, 3B
Crawford, LF
Upton, CF
Pena, 1B
Young, RF
Norton, DH
Wiggy, 3B
Casanova, C
Wilson, SS

After 16, a similar nine.

After the Rays rattled out 16 hits against the Angels Tuesday, Rays manager Joe Maddon is going with a similar lineup in tonight's game. Spots one through seven look the same, with Jonny Gomes at DH instead of Greg Norton.

On the mound, Scott Kazmir will try for wins in consectuive starts for the first time since June 22, 2006.

Maddon said he wasn't sure how he was going to use closer Al Reyes, who was activiated off the DL today, because he hasn't pitched often in a while. The Rays' schedule, which includes a day-after-night game tomorrow and a split day-night doubleheader in New York Saturday may weigh heavily in Maddon's decision.

The full lineup:
Iwamura, 3B
Crawford, LF
Upton, CF
Pena, 1B
Young, RF
Harris, SS
Wigginton, 2B
Gomes, DH
Navarro, C

Upton is third

Manager Joe Maddon followed through on his plan to move B.J. Upton up in the batting order, slotting him third for Tuesday's game. Brendan Harris drops to sixth and Josh Wilson gets another start at second.
The lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Young, rf
Harris, ss
Wigginton, dh
Navarro, c
Wilson, 2b

Record-breaking Day

No we're not talking about the number of times Rays baserunnners have been thrown out today (three).

Today's sellout crowd of 36,048 marked the first time in club history that the Rays have recorded back-to-back home sellouts (The capacity of Tropicana Field has been reduced by tarps in the upper deck).

Also, the 123,806 fans who attended the four-game Yankees series marks the fourth highest attended series in franchise history.

Another big crowd

The Rays close out their four-game series against the Yankees today and it appears that there will be another nice crowd for the series finale. Fans lined up outside the ticket windows before they opened and the Yankees fans crowded the first four rows of seats down the third-base line seeking autographs.

Edwin Jackson will make his first start since the Fourth of July, when he allowed a career-high seven runs in five innings in Boston. And Yankees starter Mike Mussina can earn his 17th career win against the Rays, making him the winningest pitcher against Tampa Bay (Mussina and Boston's Tim Wakefield are tied with 16 wins.)

Here's the Rays lineup:
Iwamura, 3B
Crawford, LF
Harris, SS
Pena, 1B
Young, RF
Upton, CF
Norton, DH
Wigginton, 2B
Navarro, C

Rays sold out

Saturday's game with the Yankees started with an unusual announcement - that it was sold out. The Rays said all tickets were sold just prior to first pitch, marking the second sellout of the season. The reduced capacity of Tropicana Field is about 38,000.

Gomes is back

Jonny Gomes - aka The Rooster - is back in the lineup Saturday as the Rays try to make it two straight against the Yankees.
The full lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Harris, ss
Pena, 1b
Young, rf
Upton, cf
Wigginton, 2b
Gomes, dh
Casanova, c

B.J.'s back ....

It took five weeks rather than five days. but B.J. Upton has finally made it back from the left quad strain that sidelined him since forcing him from the June 8 game. Upton was reinstated from the DL Friday and is in the Rays lineup tonight, hitting sixth.

Upton missed 29 games and the Rays were 8-21 without him. He was leading the team with a .320 average at the time of his injury, as well as runs and doubles and was one of their hitters with runners in scoring position. The full lineup: Iwamura, 3b Crawford, lf Harris, ss Pena, 1b Young, rf Upton, cf Norton, dh Navarro, c Wilson, 2b

Friday should be Upton's day

The Devil Rays say they expect B.J. Upton to be activated off the disabled list and rejoin the team today. And this time they say they really mean it.

Upton, out since a left quad strain forced him from the June 8 game in Miami, was expected back Thursday, but the Rays decided they wanted to see him run harder in a minor-league game before making the move.

He did so on Thursday, playing in Dunedin for Class A Vero, and unless he wakes up sore today should be back with the Rays tonight.

"B.J. had a good night," manager Joe Maddon said. "He ran hard and he ran well and he played centerfield. ... If he wakes up feeling good, he'll probably be here (Friday)."

A roster spot is open because No. 5 starter J.P. Howell was sent to Triple A until he is needed July 21.

No Upton at least tonight ....

OF/2B B.J. Upton will spend at least another night rehabbing for Class A Vero Beach before rejoining the Rays. Upton has been out since June 9 due to a strained left quad.

Manager Joe Maddon said the Rays want to see run hard and "push" his leg before reinstating him - since he has not run hard to first base - and said it could be more than one more day until Upton returns. "It's just a matter of him running well and pushing it,'' Maddon said.

Meanwhile, the Rays start the second half with Josh Wilson at second base against Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte, who has beaten them 10 straight times. And the Rays have made no changes to a bullpen that ranks worst in the majors.

The full lineup includes new father Akinori Iwamura, whose wife delivered a boy, Taiki, on Tuesday.

Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Harris, ss
Pena, 1b
Young, cf
Wigginton, dh
Gomes, rf
Navarro, c
WIlson, 2b

Crawford homers in All-Star game

In his first at-bat at Tuesday's All-Star Game, Devil Rays outfielder Carl Crawford hit a two-out solo home run to give the American League a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning.

After fouling off four pitches, Crawford hit a 3-and-2 pitch from Francisco Cordero of the Brewers over the rightfield wall.

It is Crawford's second All-Star appearance. It was the second hit by a Devil Ray in an All-Star Game. Randy Winn had a double in 2002.

No Crawford today

All-Star Carl Crawford is not in the Rays lineup today, a decision by manager Joe Maddon acknowledging that Crawford is "a little bit" banged up and also to give him some rest before his hectic three days. Maddon did say Crawford was available to play if needed late in the game.

Crawford - who crashed hard into the outfield wall on Saturday's game but said Sunday morning he was fine - was flying to San Francisco after Sunday's game, will have full days on Monday and Tuesday and is planning to fly back to Tampa overnight after the game.

With Crawford out, Dustan Mohr is in left. Also Josh Wilson is at second.

The lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Young, cf
Pena, 1b
Wigginton, dh
Gomes, rf
Wilson, 2b
Navarro, c
Mohr, lf

For second-half starters, it's Shields

The Rays set their rotation for the second half of the season, with James Shields on the mound when they resume play after the three-day All-Star break against the Yankees on Thursday at Tropicana Field.
Shields, their top winner at 7-4, will be followed by Scott Kazmir, Andy Sonnanstine and Edwin Jackson. The Rays plan to skip LHP J.P. Howell the first time through the order since they have an off-day before hosting the Angels.

Also, manager Joe Maddon reinterated that B.J. Upton is on track to rejoin the team on Thursday assuming the rest of his rehab assignment with Class A Vero continues without any problems from his previously strained left quad.

Navi's back

No one saw C Dioner Navarro do the cartwheels manager Joe Maddon joked would be required, but Navarro was back in the lineup Saturday, two days after his scary collision with Boston pitcher Josh Beckett. The rest of the lineup is relatively normal:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Harris, ss
Pena, 1b
Wigginton, 2b
Norton, dh
Young, cf
Gomes, rf
Navarro, c

Navarro not in lineup

Though C Dioner Navarro was examined and released late Thursday from a Boston hospital and flew with the team to Kansas City, he is not in the lineup tonight. Navarro banged his jaw on Sox pitcher Josh Beckett's shoulder and said Friday he had nothing more than a headache afterward - certainly not the fractured jaw Beckett was telling people about.
"I'm fine now," Navarro said.He said he was dizzy afterward and had blurred vision and that it hurt to eat on Thursday night.
Also Jorge Cantu gets a rare start at DH against lefty Odalis Perez.
The full lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Harris, ss
Wigginton, 2b
Young, cf
Pena, 1b
Gomes, rf
Cantu, dh
Casanova, c

Navarro sent to hospital

BOSTON -- Rays catcher Dioner Navarro went to the hospital for tests after a collision with Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett in Thursday night's game against Boston.

The Devil Rays said Navarro was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital for X-rays.

Navarro ran into Beckett beyond first base bag after the pitcher went to the bag to cover on a ground ball to the right side. Navarro grabbed his chin and crumpled to the ground, where he lay for several minutes before being helped off the field, weak-legged, with a member of the training staff holding each arm.

"I thought it was chest-to-chest," Beckett said. "I looked over at him and he was knocked out cold. There as nothing going on with his body. I think it broke his jaw. ... I hope he heals quickly."

Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon said after the game that he did not know the test results, and that Navarro was still in the hospital.

The play was scored a single. Raul Casanova pinch ran.

Beckett remained in the game.

"I think my muscles took most of the blow," he said.

-- Associated Press

Trying again ....

Having lost 10 in a row, the Rays will try to snap their streak tonight in Boston, but it won't be easy against 11 game winner Josh Beckett.
Manager Joe Maddon is going what what now appears to be his regular lineup, though Greg Norton dropped down a spot:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Harris, ss
Pena, 1b
Wigginton, 2b
Norton, dh
Young, cf
Gomes, rf
Navarro, c
Howell, p

Remembering Hammerin' Hank

When Hank Aaron drove an Al Dowling pitch into the left-field bullpen of Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium on April 8, 1974, he took possession of what many consider the most important record in sports. His 715th home run was one more than the career mark Babe Ruth established 39 years earlier. Aaron hit 40 more before retiring in 1976. Now, as Barry Bonds closes in on Aaron's record of 755, we find our thoughts turning more and more to the former Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves slugger. Share your favorite Aaron memories below, and we'll publish a sampling of the best comments in an upcoming edition of the Times. Please leave your full name and hometown for publication purposes.

(Photo: Aaron holds up the ball he hit for home run No. 715. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

Reyes on the DL, Switzer promoted

More bad news for the Rays as closer Al Reyes, who has been the only dependable member of their bullpen, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a "slightly strained" rotator cuff in his right shoulder and will be out at least until at least July 18.

"It seems it will only be the minimum amount of time,'' manager Joe Maddon said.

Reyes, coming back from his second Tommy John surgery, has 17 saves but has not been as sharp recently. LHP Jon Switzer was called up to replace him (rather than Chad Orvella or Seth McClung), but Gary Glover is likely to get the first shot at closing.

Also, Maddon said it is all but official that B.J. Upton, out since June 9 with a left quad strain, won't rejoin the team until after the All-Star break. He will continue his rehab at Triple-A Durham and then return to Class A Vero.

Meanwhile, as the Rays try to snap a nine-game losing streak, Greg Norton is in rightfield and Dustan Mohr in center as Delmon Young gets to DH for a day.

The lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Harris, ss
Pena, 1b
Norton, rf
Young, dh
Wigginton, 2b
Casanova, c
Mohr, cf
Jackson, p

Switzer here ...

LHP Jon Switzer is here which means something is wrong with a Rays reliever and a move is forthcoming.
Meanwhile, Greg Norton is inrightfield and Dustan Mohr in center as Delmon Young gets to DZ for a day.
The lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Harris, ss
Pena, 1b
Norton, rf
Young, dh
Wigginton, 2b
Casanova, c
Mohr, cf
Jackson, p

Aki excited, B.J. out again

Rays 3B Akinori Iwamura is careful to point out that he doesn't consider it a big deal to face Japanese pitchers in the major leagues because the other big-league pitchers are so good.

But after the second of three pre-game media sessions Tuesday, Iwamura seemed to acknowledge the hype being given to his meeting with Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Iwamura, who is 2-for-8 against Matsuzaka with a home run in previous meetings in Japan, said the hype made the showdown "a little bit unusual" and that he felt like the was "playing for the All-Star Game.''

Meanwhile B.J. Upton's return looks to be delayed again, this time because he has a fever and won't play tonight at Triple-A Durham, and manager Joe Maddon said it now seems unlikely Upton will make it back before the All-Star break which starts after Sunday's game. Upton has been out with a strained left quad since leaving the June 8 game.

"It's pretty much putting the kibosh on it,'' Maddon said.

Lineup shakeup

Manager Joe Maddon shook up his struggling lineup for tonight, moving All-Star Carl Crawford up to second, moving Carlos Pena to cleanup and dropping Delmon Young to 7th.
The lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Crawford, lf
Harris,ss
Pena,1b
Norton, dh
Wigginton, 2b
Young, cf
Gomes, rf
Navarro, c

Boston effect ....

Having lost eight straight, the Rays are hoping a change of scenery in coming to Boston changes their luck.

They have already been busy today, reinstating RHP Juan Salas from the restricted list - where he has been since being suspended May 7 for violating the rules against performance-enhancing drugs, and optioning him to Triple-A Durham. To make room on the 40-man roster, they shifted RHP Tim Corcoran from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

Goodbye Cleveland...Still waiting for Upton

The Rays end this four-game series in Cleveland tonight hoping to come out with at least one win as rookie Andy Sonnanstine goes to the mound his hometown team.

In other news, Rays manager Joe Maddon said that injured 2B/CF B.J. Upton felt stiffness in his left quad this morning after playing six innings at second base last night. He will participate in pregame work tonight in Durham, and will be a gametime decision whether he plays. Maddon said Upton still might need to play in a couple more games before he can rejoin the team, so it's starting to look more like he wont return until the end of the Boston series or the beginning of the Kansas City series.

Here's tonight's lineup:
Iwamura, 3B
Harris, SS
Crawford, LF
Norton, DH
Pena, 1B
Young, CF
Gomes, RF
Navarro, C
Wilson, 2B

Crawford an all-star again

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Times Staff Writer

CLEVELAND -- Rays LF Carl Crawford was surprisingly selected to represent Tampa Bay in this year’s All-Star Game in San Francisco, making him the first two-time all-star in franchise history.

The 25-year-old was selected by the AL manager and Detroit skipper Jim Leyland as one of his seven selections. Leyland named only three position players.

“It definitely feels good,” Crawford said. “You’re one of the elite among your peers as always it’s a great thing. Whenever you get picked to go it’s exciting. It’s a different kind of excitement.”

Crawford was 2-for-4 in Sunday’s 3-2 Rays’ loss to Cleveland, raising his average to .288. Crawford has six homers and a team-high 49 RBIs. Crawford’s eight triples are second in the AL and his 20 stolen bases rank third highest in the league.

Rays manager Joe Maddon pulled Crawford aside and told him before Sunday’s game. Crawford said he didn’t expect the selection in this of all seasons.

“He just kind of caught me walking by,” Crawford said. “I really didn’t know what was going on. He just told me and I was glad to hear the news. ... I just didn’t think I was going to be the one who was going to get picked.”

Crawford was voted in by the players in his first all-star appearance in 2004 when the game was played in his hometown of Houston.

Last season, Crawford had a superb first half, hitting .319 with 13 homers, 46 RBIs, 55 runs and 36 stolen bases, but he didn’t make the team.

His stats this season don’t compare, especially now as he’s struggling through his worse slump of the season, but finally it seems like Crawford is receiving national attention while playing under the radar in Tampa Bay.

“I just think the manager who picked the team thought I did a good enough job to make it,” Crawford said. “That’s good to know. Someone is paying attention to you. You won’t hear my saying nothing about it, about the year I didn't get picked. It definitely justifies what happens to me last year.”

Waiting for word on All-Star

We're still awaiting word on who the Rays representative to the All-Star Game will be. RHP James Shields is the odd-on favorite to head to San Francisco -- but LF Carl Crawford, closer Al Reyes, 2B B.J. Upton and SS Brendan Harris are other possibilities. Shields starts today, hoping to end the Rays' six-game skid, and Rays manager Joe Maddon said he wouldn't likely tell Shields he made the team until after the game. 

Crawford and Carlos Pena are back in the lineup against LHP Cliff Lee after having last night off against man mountain C.C. Sabathia. Josh Wilson makes his second straight start at second base, with about 20 friends and family in the stands from his hometown of Pittsburgh.

The full lineup:
Iwamura, 3B
Harris, SS
Crawford, LF
Wigginton, DH
Young, CF
Pena, 1B
Gomes, RF
Navarro, C
Wilson, 2B