Baldelli eyes return; Rays eye Rangers

OF Rocco Baldelli worked out before the regulars and continued to provide hope that he could return this season, albeit in a limited role.

"I can see it," Baldelli said. "I plan on coming back; I don't know when it's going to be.''

He won't be ready to come off the DL when eligible this week but was scheduled to have a conversation later Tuesday with Rays officials to discuss what his role would be if he came back, and is likely to soon establish a schedule that could start with him playing in extended spring training games.

"I don't anticipate it happening when I'm eligible to come off the DL (on Thursday) but I'm going to head over to the complex when the team goes on the road and try to ramp these workouts up a little bit, which I've already started to do,'' Baldelli said.

Baldelli has been sidelined since spring training with a rare condition that causes muscle fatigue in his legs. The first steps in his return could be "fairly soon, but I don't know how soon,'' he said.

Manager Joe Maddon stressed there was "no timetable whatsoever" but said Baldelli is "feeling better" and "we're cautiously optimistic about the whole thing.''

Also, Maddon said it likely will be just a matter of days before INF Willy Aybar is activated off the DL and added to the roster. Aybar has been out since mid-April.

The Rays should play inspired defense tonight as they are getting a pre-game speech from Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.


Tonight's lineup:
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Upton. cf
Pena, 1b
Longoria, 3b
Floyd, dh
Navarro, c
Hinske, rf
Bartlett, ss
Sonnanstine, p

Comments

[sharpie]

Biggest waste of talent on the face of the planet. I would rather see us trade rocco for a prospect then waste any more time on him

[Jonny Gomes]

Anyone want to take me to school?

Just shoot me an email

windmill@aol.com

[MLnFL]

Baldelli would be perfect as a backup
for Pena - short jog to the bench. No
long runs in the outfield. And then he
could DH. Gomes is looking to repeat last year batting low 200's and can't hit the fastball. Can't field too good either. What kind of DH can not hit the smoke? Do not see Floyd going anywhere for 2009 either.

[Greg]

Hawkeye.. you nailed it. Both Crawford and Baldelli agree. Hamilton is the monster OF. B.J. you're the man now to complete the best OF in baseball. I still think your speed trumps Hamilton's HRs. Just get some coaching (for now} on the pads. You are a great outfielder!!

[Rocco]

I could see him really excelling at DH. I guess it depends on how taxing it is for be a DH, take a lot of BP to stay sharp, etc...........however, if it can do it he would be an amazing DH.

[Hawkeye]

I just think of what could have been with Rocco, Hamilton and CC out in the outfield. Wow!

[Kris]

Jose, what are you talking about? I'm so sick of you.

[jose]

i think that iwamura should be on first base not third

[skp]

Rocco (the poster not the player), if working exclusively at DH doesn't overtax his body, he's the obvious successor to cliff floyd in my opinion....spend 2008 getting his body as right as it will get, maybe take a tour through the minors, and then drop floyd in 2009 and let baldelli take his at-bats

[Rocco]

You can't tell me that Rocco couldn't be a great DH. With his disorder if he focused only on hitting and was allowed to 'run it out' as necessary...........perhaps he could do good things. Think about it, you can't tell me he couldn't jog faster than Frank Thomas......