Kazmir looks good, Baldelli not so good

LHP Scott Kazmir looked good enough in a throwing session Thursday morning that manager Joe Maddon said he was now "pretty optimistic" Kazmir could make the opening day start on March 31.
Kazmir has been sidelined with an elbow strain but Maddon said the Rays have now mapped out a plan that could have Kazmir making his exhibition debut by the end of next week.
Kazmir played catch at a distance of about 90 feet on Thursday (and looked "very good,'' Maddon said) and assuming all remains well Kazmir would throw a bullpen session on Sunday or Monday, then "might be ready" for a spring game a few days after that.
"By doing that we could get him on task, or back on, possibly for the opening day of the season also, so we'll see how that all goes,'' Maddon said. "We'll be able to build back from the moment we know he can pitch in that game. ... From what I saw today I'm pretty optimistic. He looked normal and he was not holding back and I think it could be right about that time he's going to be ready to go.''

The news on OF Rocco Baldelli, however, wasn't good and potentially ominous, with Maddon saying Baldelli's next appearance (which was to be Thursday or Friday) may be delayed. Baldelli had two at-bats in Tuesday's rain-cancelled game - jogging to first after flying out - and apparently didn't respond well, and Maddon said a decision on whether he could play Fridya would be made in the morning, but it didn't sound good.
"He just wasn't up to speed and I've just got to make sure with (head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield) this being the vague situation that it is,'' Maddon said. "I'm just really not sure that he's going to be able to play (Friday) based on recovery after the last time out.''
Baldelli missed most of last season with hamstring injuries and the Rays have planned to take it slow throughout the spring.

Comments

[raysfan]

GROAN!!!!!!!!!!!! more baldelli nonsense!!! what the eff!

[T]

Can you say "Boy in the plastic bubble"?

[Julian]

I don't understand how can he not even handle joging? This injury was close to a year ago!

[Rex]

I don't get it - glass hamstrings? and Tommy John surgery while rehabing his knee? C'mon Rocco.

[Syd Finch]

Instead of Rocco, he should be called Jello.

[T]

I had a really bad hammie pull, but I could still jog. After 2-3 weeks of therapy, I could run again with no problem. Has anyone ever thought to teach him how to STRETCH!

[Tim]

I hate to think this but Rocco may not be worth the trouble... It is too bad too.. He is a unique talent...

[steven]

Love on the Rocco! The fans have had enough. I wish we would have traded him instead of Delmon, who is looking really good this spring.

[Dale]

Yeah, we should have traded Rocco. One problem is that to make a trade work there has to be 2 willing participants. Would we have gotten a top 5 starting pitcher and starting SS for Rocco? Kinda doubt it.

[Chris]

I think we should petition that for that if Rocco isn't playing the game, he should have to dance with the Rays Cheerlead team. Atleast that way I'll know he's getting paid for some reason.

[ben]

When are they just gonna fess-up and tell the truth about Rocco. He has a muscle disease. People who know people in the organization have been told of his disease. But this is just Merlot Joe skirting the obvious. QUIT hiding the facts JOE!!!! Looks like Andrew and his contract deal isn't so smart after all. What did you expect from MONEY GUYS who treat this a fantasy baseball. GET REAL BASEBALL MEN in here instead of these wanna b's!!!!!!

[Scott]

Rocco has had little to no trade value for some time now. No one wants damaged goods. Unfortunately, it might be time to cut bait on him and take him out of the team's long-term plans.

[ryan callahan]

OMG!!! BIG SURPRISE, balDLi IS GONNA BE HURT. Im not surprised anymore, hes done, at least for us. Good for Kazmir though, I hope hes ready for March 31st.

[raysfan]

i shudder to think how much salary we have tied up in rocco. with payroll being what it is, we could really stand to not have his burdensome contract...

[Sum Ting Wong]

what fan named "ben" fail to rearize is that new owner not one who draft Rocco Barderri

[Matt]

I guess I'm the only one who feels for this guy... there's obviously something serious wrong and there's no questioning his desire to play. And I'd bet that pretty much every organization out there is wasting more money on an unproductive player (Carl Pavano, anyone?) than the Rays are on Baldelli.

On the bright side, a Baldelli injury thins the ranks in that RF/DH spot to help justify a Bonds signing.