Baldelli and Rays can move forward

Shortly after batting practice Wednesday, Rays OF Rocco Baldelli will clarify that he won't be ready to play at least at the start of the season and will reveal some details - and possible explanations - of the mysterious medical condition that prevents his legs from feeling well enough for him to return to the field.

"It's not really encouraging right now, it hasn't really been progressing,'' manager Joe Maddon said during his morning media session. "It's one of those day by day situations and it's not moving forward.''

The revelations will be important for Baldelli, who has been in the uncomfortable position of offering vague answers and updates on his progress to a series of reporters and others on a daily basis. While it won't make him feel any better, explaining what he can should provide some sense of relief.

And it will be important for the Rays, who now can come up with a revised plan for the rightfield/DH slots, which Baldelli was to share with Jonny Gomes and Cliff Floyd. But what isn't known - yet anyway - is if the Rays will view this as a short-term situation and seek to fill the roster spot internally, with non-roster invitees John Rodriguez and Jon Weber standing out, or assume Baldelli won't be back anytime soon and seek more of a fulltime replacement, such as signing free agent Kenny Lofton.

Maddon said Weber looks to be the better defensive offensive player and Rodriguez the better offensive player and that both will get considerable playing time over the next week or so. Important to the decision is who can best handle being the backup centerfielder since the Rays don't have anyone else on the roster to handle that.

And this will all unfold on probably the biggest media day of the spring, with the Yankees making their only visit to St. Petersburg.

Baldelli is expected to continue his comeback attempt and not retire, as has been speculated. The Rays have to decide by April 1 on a $6-million option for 2009 or a $4-million buyout.

Comments

[Jeremy]

Send him packing! I know he's a fan favorite, but the guy hasn't played in a couple of years. Cut him loose and sign Barry Bonds

[Pete]

I wish it were that easy to send him packing, but the contract is guaranteed. The Rays will have to pay him either way. I doubt that Baldelli has any trade value either. If another team is willing to take a chance on him, they would not give the Rays much of anything in return.

The Rays obviously cannot count on him or pencil him into a starting spot. They need to assume he will NOT be healthy, and if they get anything from him it will be a bonus.

Although Bonds is public enemy #1, I would not be opposed to bringing him in as a DH. He won't play 162 games, but when he does play, pitchers will fear him and his on base % is amazing. Bonds also will have a huge chip on his shoulder in the wake of the Balco scandal. Then the Rays can platoon Floyd and Gomes in RF. That offense would be downright scary.

[Daniiel]

I'm more concerned about Rocco as a person than as a ballplayer. I hope it's not MS, or some disease or condition of that severity.

[Chris]

At this point this story goes beyond sports lets wish the guy well. Lets hope its not a serious disease and wish him well in life.

[jeremy]

Pete, your dead on! I would love to see it. I would go see a lot more games to help offset the salary. Daniel, I hope he doesn't have MS either. He's not retiring though, therefore I don't think thats the case.

[Daniel]

MS varies from person to person, it's onset can be very slow, he could try and play this year, but he announced it's a mitochondrial abnormality, not MS, but it may be just as serious. looks like the rays will take the 4 mil opt out. I'm pulling for you Rocco.