No Rocco in the outfield ...

(UPDATE, 1:05 p.m.)
Rocco Baldelli said as far as he knew he was scheduled to be the DH and not play the outfield in Wednesday's intrasquad so there was no change in plans. He batted twice, hitting into a double play and reaching on an error, and took it easy on the bases. He said all went well in his first game action since last May's season-ending hamstring injury: "Everything was fine - nice and smooth.''

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Rocco Baldelli was scheduled to play in the outfield in today's intrasquad game, according to manager Joe Maddon, but instead will DH.
There's no official explanation yet, but it likely has something to do with the fields being wet and the weather being nasty. Baldelli, who missed most of last season due to hamstring problems, has already said he will take it easy this spring and not take any chances with his legs.
The clubhouse was closed to the media early Wednesday morning due to one of the standard series of spring training meetings, this one on the perils of driving while impaired.
An official update from executive VP Andrew Friedman is expected mid-morning on the condition of LHP Scott Kazmir; the Times reported in Wednesday's editions that an MRI showed no serious injury but that he is expected to be sidelined about two weeks.
Another highlight of the morning: RHP Jae Kuk Ryu walking around the clubhouse wearing his uniforn and the head of mascot Raymond.
As for who is scheduled to play in the 11 a.m. intrasquad game:
Foley's Feinsteins
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Pena, 1b
Floyd, DH
Gomes, rf
Hinske, 3b
Navarro, c
Bartlett, ss
Weber, cf
Shields, rhp
Other pitchers: Gary Glover, Scott Munter, J.P. Howell, Jeff Niemann, Calvin Medlock.

Martinez's Mud Dogs
Ruggiano, cf
Zobrist, ss
Baldelli, dh
Rodriguez, lf
Guzman, rf
Longoria, 3b
Richard, 1b
Gimenez, c
Cannizaro, 2b
Garza, rhp
Other pitchers: Dohmann, Birkins, Ryu, Talbot, Davis
And new acquisition Willy Aybar, who'd been delayed by visa problems in the Dominican Republic, is scheduled for his first action as a replacement in rightfield, but he has to go through a series of medical tests and hadn't been seen in the clubhouse by the time the meeting started.

Comments

[Andy C.]

Rocco is young and gifted. He's been injured a lot, but the Rays aren't paying him a crazy amount of money. When he's been healthy and played consistantly he has produced. 25-30 home runs, .300+ avg. are very possible for a healthy Rocco. Why would you want to risk Rocco hurting some thing during a intrasquad game anyways? Let him take it slow. It makes sense, any team would do that with some one like Rocco. I don't think you know much about how baseball operates Ben.

[glenn]

Where's B.J.?

[Ben]

ALWAYS excuses for Rocco. Why don't they own up to the fact he is damaged goods and has that disease they won't own up to?

[Owen VanAlden]

I'm eager to hear how the guys did today. Was anybody raking the ball? Did any of the pitchers look great, especially the new guys? Wish I was right there watching!