Crawford back, Bartlett not

LF Carl Crawford is back in the Rays lineup tonight after missing the last three games with what he said an MRI confirmed was a "mild strain" of his left hamstring. Crawford estimates he will be at about 85 percent tonight, but expects the leg to feel better as the Rays play 10 consecutive games on natural grass.

SS Jason Bartlett is still not able to throw without pain in his bruised right index finger so he can't return to the field yet and is not in the lineup. Bartlett was the DH on Wednesday when Cleveland started a lefty, but is on the bench tonight as Cliff Floyd gets to DH against Seattle ace Felix Hernandez. Bartlett said his finger has improved and he is hopeful of returning to the field on Friday.

With Bartlett out, Ben Zobrist is at shortstop. And Rocco Baldelli has not been activated, as the Rays have to be sure Bartlett is ready before creating a roster spot, most likely either sending Zobrist back down or putting Willy Aybar on the DL.

CF B.J. Upton didn't have much to add to what he said Wednesday about being benched for a lack of hustle, except that his legs felt fresh after the unexpected day off and he "can't wait" to get back on the field tonight.

Also, the Rays have confirmed that Triple-A Durham SS Reid Brignac has a fractured left wrist, but they don't know yet how long he will be sidelined. Brignac was a candidate to be called up when rosters expand in September.

Comments

[Jim]

I hope "maturity" comes to both Carl and B.J.

One feeds off each other.

[Oh well]

Not a good night at the plate for anybody. It will happen against King Felix.

[Bill]

Looks like Rocco will be on the team very soon! Keep Zobrist up, he's offering much more than Aybar lately and can play more positions.......and put Aybar on the DL.

[JeffC]

Raz/Andy/Drew - thanks for the insight. Good stuff.

Bottom line is that Kaz hasn't had a season yet in which "it all comes together," and when he does, watch out!

[Mark]

Good on Upton. Great to see him back in the line-up and more importantly, for showing his maturity and accepting his punishment quietly.

GO RAYS!

[Drew]

No not at all, he isnt getting any 0-2 counts, his command has been way off and he is leaving a lot of balls up in the zone when he does get it across the plate. If he just relaxes out there and lets it fly with that slider he'll be fine. No way he would take a closer role.

[Andy]

From what I've seen and heard, there are 2 reasons Kazmir has been having trouble lately:

1. His fastball is down a few MPH's, so instead of blowing away hitters at 94-95, he is topping out around 92-93 mph. At that speed, most major league hitters are able to look for it and foul it off until they get a feel for what to do with it. Foul balls have played a big role in driving up his pitch count for sure.
2. He has increasingly had trouble locating his slider for strikes, also increasing his pitch count, and meaning that more hitters are able to sit on his fastball.

To his credit, he has added a nice change-up to his repertoire, but he only flashes it occasionally. I think part of the problems with both his slider and fastball issues are a result of his elbow injury earlier this year. It is possible he has done something different with his slider in an attempt to save his arm (Sliders typically put a LOT of strain on the elbow).

I sure hope he will be back to full speed after a winter of rest, though it is possible his mid-90's days are behind him. If that's the case, he will eventually need to add a new pitch or learn to work more off his change-up, ala Shields.

[Razzlegator]

I was at the game yesterday, and Kid K seemed to think that some pitches weren't being called for strikes. With Joe West behind the plate, I'd have to go with the ump. It may be some payback for K mouthing off about the umping in LA earlier this year, but I doubt it. He (Kid K) might be a little too full of himself. Like I've said here before, Kaz should worry about what he's doing, and let the rest take care of itself.

[JeffC]

That should have said 90+ "pitches" in my last post. Gotta get me some caffeine.

[JeffC]

Fellow Rays fans, what are our thoughts on Kazmir? I saw the Box from yesterday's game and he went 4 1/3 and threw 90+ itches.

Is it possible that his stuff is too good? He gets guys to two strikes and then they seem to foul off a TON of pitches.

Maybe long term, he's our closer, and Price fits his slot in the rotation.

[JeffC]

I just put the coffee on so I can stay up for the game tonight. Lookin for the Rays to kick off the trip properly.

This trip is BIG.

I assume Bradford's with the team. Good pick up. I suspect Andy (my nickname for Andrew Friedman), has some more moves up his sleeve.

[Baldelli]

Couldn't add the line-up to this post?