asReyes on DL, Percival back; Navi hitting second

The Rays made room on the roster for RHP Troy Percival by putting reliever RHP Al Reyes on the 15-day DL with right shoulder tendonitis.
Reyes is 1-2 with a 4.02 ERA. He last pitched Monday in Anaheim and didn't show any signs of trouble, allowing one hit in one inning and throwing only eight pitches.
Had Reyes not been injured, the Rays likely would have had to consider designating for assignment either RHP Grant Balfour or RHP Gary Glover.

Percival said the two weeks of rest/rehab has his hamstring feeling better than it did before the season, and he doesn't anticipate any problems with it the rest of the season. Manager Joe Maddon said Percival is available for his usual workload, which means pitching on back-to-back nights is OK, as well as three straight (if he doesn't throw too many pitches).

As for Reyes, he said he started to feel a twinge in the biceps/tendon area again in his third or fourth apperance back from his first stint on the disabled list (which were due to a shoulder impingement and biceps tendonitis). More than just the pain, Reyes was worried his velocity (at 88-89 last year) was down to 84-85, and felt if he shut it down, he could be good to go the rest of the season. The right-hander anticipates being able to throw again after a couple days off.

*With Rocco Baldelli finishing his extended spring training DH stints, the next step appears to be a 20-day minor league assignment, with a destination to be figured out soon. Baldelli said his timing has been on and off at the plate, but, physically, he feels as good as he did before spring training started.

The Rays appeared surprised at the recent comments made by Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon the other day that there's still unfinished business between the teams. To the Rays, they feel the matter is over.

As for tonight's game, the Rays have to play without LF Carl Crawford, who starts his four-game suspension. And manager Joe Maddon got creative, with this lineup as Eric Hinske plays left and Dioner Navarro hits second.

Iwamura, 2b
Navarro, c
Upton, cf
Hinske, lf
Longoria, 3b
Aybar, 1b
Floyd, dh
Gross, rf
Bartlett, ss
Sonnanstine, p

Marlins
Ramirez, ss
Hermida, rf
Cantu, 3b
Jacobs, 1b
Uggla, 2b
Gonzalez, dh
Ross, lf
Amezaga, cf
Treanor, c
Tucker,p

Comments

[Ryan]

SQUISH THE FISH!! Coming home from vacation was nice to hear the home announcers on XM for once. The Angels guys were ok, but it's nice to hear Dave and Andy -- Never thought I'd say that..I was real attatched to Paul and Charlie...

Papelbon, what a loser. How can he throw at us? No save situations this time easier Papelbonbon...

The family will be there Sunday

[Bryan]

Nice relief tonight Perc, welcome back we sure missed you in Ca.
Bring on the Red Sox we're ready!

[Scott]

The Sox are classless organization for someone that just won the World Series.

[Papelbon]

Don't you know that I hear everything?

[CJ]

Papelbon, who's he?

[matt]

papelbon needs to know when to let it go coco said its over and done with but papelbon said things will be different when they get to the trop. hehe what are you gonna do try an intentionaly hit our guys get ready for another brawl. i agree with you scott

[Scott]

Anyone as pissed about Papelbon shooting off his mouth as much as I am?

[Philp]

Welcome back Cantu wish you were still a Ray

[Papelbon]

I'm watching, and I know.

[Philip]

We should try B.j batting leadoff.

[HAROLD]

I hear ya Bill
i dont have an answer but bartlett may be a good choice. He's a smart runner ,he can steal once he gets on.

[Bill]

I agree it's a little high but I think he really was focusing on going left, right, left, right, down order.......so, which righty belongs there? Bartlett?

[HAROLD]

i hate navi that high up in the order
I dont have enough to base it on but it makes me uncomfortable . I prefer his bat in the bottom. I admit i havnt checked my facts its just a gestalt. I feel like he isnt as comfortable with the pressure of being up in the order