Floyd could return Sunday

The pre-game news prior to tonight's matchup with the Rays and Angels is that DH Cliff Floyd, coming off knee surgery just four weeks ago, could return as early as Sunday.

Manager Joe Maddon was very pleased with Floyd's batting practice session Friday at the Trop, but wanted to chat with Floyd and the team's medical staff before inserting him back in. As for Floyd, chomping at the bit after a DL stint and a few appearances at extended spring, he feels he's "ready" to go.

"I'm in a rush," Floyd said. "I don't know if they're in a rush. I want to get back. It's been four weeks today. I'm just anxious to get back with my boys and sit on the bench and be part of the team. I want to feel like I'm contributing in some way, whether it's good or bad. I just want to contribute. I want to be a big part of this."

The Rays returned pretty pleased with their lengthy road trip, winning two of the three series in a nine-game swing, including what they hope is a momentum-building 13-inning win Thursday over Toronto.

Tampa Bay takes on an Angels team that's one of the AL's best, having won six of nine. Should be a great pitching matchup, with James Shields taking on Jon Garland.

Rays

Rays:
Iwamura, 2B
Crawford, LF
Upton, CF
Pena, 1B
Longoria, 3B
Hinske, DH
Navarro, C
Gross, RF
Bartlett, SS

Shields, P

ANGELS
Matthews, RF
Aybar, SS
Guerrero, DH
Anderson, LF
Hunter, CF
Kotchman, 1B
Napoli, C
Wood, 3B
Rodriguez, 2B

Garland, P

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[Nick]

Why is Gross still in the lineup............

[go rays]

gross had a HR last night and he is a good fielder

[Aaron]

Gross has had the one home one and no other hits in like 10 games. He has a decent arm, but I'd rather see Jonny Gomes in there more

[hockeyjoker]

simply fantastic

[Gross]

Gomes sucks @ss. Look at his career numbers. Perhaps he should spend the off season catching fly balls. I'd take Gross and his defense and his 1 less hit per 10 AB's over Gomes and his 1 more hit per 10 AB's but 15 more errors over the course of a season playing RF....and that is not counting all the runners Gross keeps a base behind due to his speed and arm.

[Bodog]

Gross is in the lineup for one reason and one reason only - he is the best DEFENSIVE right fielder we have. like Gross mentioned, I'll take Gross' weak hitting azz over Gomes any day of the week, but now that Floyd has returned from the DL - you're see less of Gross in RF full time. With Floyd and Hinske, my best guess is that Gross will now come in in the late innings for defense.

[raysfan]

great win tonight. great for the team.

[Bodog]

Does anyone know the Rays won / loss record at this point of the season for last season.

[raysfan]

yeah bodog i think we had 5 fewer wins at this point last season.