Jackson in, Hinske out

UPDATE, 2:36: Hinske confirmed that he had been left off the roster, and Percival confirmed that he was not added.

"They want to carry an extra pitcher and I'm the odd man out,'' Hinske said. "That's how it is. It's something that I can't control. I'll be ready if somebody gets hurt. It's not about me, it's about the team winning ballgames. No reaction.''

Percival threw 25 pitches during Thursday's workout and said he felt "awesome" and that it "probably today was as good as I've thrown in years.''

Percival said he would be ready if the Rays wanted to activate him for the World Series.  "I know that I'm healthy and ready to go if they need me,'' he said. "I am physically ready now, they know I'm physically ready now, but the way they've got their bullpen set up they needed somebody that can throw some more innings.''

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RHP Edwin Jackson has been added to the Rays roster for the ALCS, and it appears OF Eric Hinske has been dropped.

The team will not make an official announcement until Friday morning, when rosters are due. Manager Joe Maddon did say today he was "leaning toward 11 pitchers.''

Jackson won 14 games this season, tying the franchise record, but was left off the roster for the division series when the Rays opted for 10 pitchers and 15 position players. He was chosen to be added over RHP Troy Percival.

With OF Carl Crawford showing he was healthy, the Rays opted to cut back on the bench the seven-game ALCS. And with speedy rookie OF Fernando Perez more versatile, Hinske -- who filled in well when Crawford was hurt -- was apparently the one to go. Hinske did not play in the division series; he hit .247 with 20 homers and 60 RBIs in 133 games during the season.

Speaking generally about the decisions, Maddon said: "They're all hard. When you have guys that have played all year with the group and you have to pick and choose at this time of the year to say somebody is on and somebody's off, it's not fun because everybody is responsible for us being at his particular juncture. ... So when you do this it's difficult. But you still have to choose what you believe is the right thing to do based on what's going on right now, the length of the series, your strengths, your weaknesses, what you may have to do during the course of a game regarding pinch-hitting or pinch-running, etc. and just try to make your best guess.''

The selection of Jackson means Percival, who has battled knee and back injuries much of the second half, again will not be on the roster.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Edwin Jackson practices with the Rays on October 9, 2008 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. [Edmund Fountain, Times]

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Comments

[Tom]

Reading between the lines I think the Manager and pitching coach are concerned about Kaz and other starters. If Kaz is not on his best game, the skipper will pull him for Sonny or Jackson for long relief so the bullpen won't be toast after 1-2 games. The Rays want to keep the games close, keep bullpen fresh, and keep pressure on the Sox.

[Dan]

Hinske should be in. He knows the Red Sox. Perez should be in. We need the speed. Jackson should be out. He's a slow starter, which makes him less than terrific out of the pen.

[Hinske Fan]

I will wear my Hinske shirt tomorrow night and know Eric did so much to get us here...always with great heart...and don't forget most recently a homer & stolen base.

[MikeD]

I'd like to see Gomes in there, but my reasons for that are more emotional than rational. I'm just telling myself, wrt lineup and roster decisions, that Joe knows, my friends, Joe knows.

[Luis Garcia's shadow]

Luis Garcia is everywhere selling tickets. Are you a professional scalper?

[lori]

so dumb. jackson was subpar in the rotation and has historically been a disaster in the bullpen. The Sox will light him up. Just look fastball. I hope this doesnt blow up to hurt us.

[Tweedy]

Glad to see Jackson in. Put him in instead of Kaz.

[CJ]

Hey you guys selling tickets, go (scalp)spam somewhere else, try ebay or craigslist, this is not the place.

Go Rays!!

[mm]

Hinske hasn't done jack in almost two months. I am glad to see him out of it. I hope Perez replaces him next year. The kid is a stud! He fits our outfield so much better and he hits in the clutch.

[Tuck]

If Maddon needs to pull a pitcher in the 1st inning, and I hope that does not happen, Jackson would probably be the best option to go in.

Price is going to be wonderful in the future; but it's unrealistic to think that he could come in for 5+ ALCS innings after barely pitching in the Bigs at all so far.

[Alex]

Two tickets in Section 307, Row S available. $110 each. call 727-642-5402.

All sorts of tickets available

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[AJ]

Kind of hard to question Joe's judgment on any decision because he has pretty much nailed every call he has made this year. But in my layman's opinion, I would much rather have Hinske's bat off the bench than have Jackson as an extra pitcher. I just cannot envision a scenario short of an extra-inning marathon, where Jackson would come into the game. Personally, I would hope that Price would always take the mound ahead of Jackson in any situation.

[9equals8.com]

Indeed. I really like Hinske. It's too bad be got cold in September or he probably would have made it. This is much more about having someone on the bench (Perez) that brings speed and versatility to the lineup and Hinske does not do that. Gross brings everything Hinske brings except he has a better arm and he was swinging a hot bat in September. Perez's speed makes him a potential game changer.

[Mike]

I agree with the move, although it would be nice to have Hinske's bat on the bench. ( Remember the game, we pinch hit Dan Johnson against papelbon.) I agree because I really think this series is going to be a knock out, drag out ordeal every game and we are going to see some extra inning affairs. And Jackson and Price give madden more to work with in those types opf games.

[M]

Bummer about Hinske. I wish there were enough positions so everyone would get to play in at least one game!

[Josh]

2 Game 2 ALCS Tickets Availible

Sec 138 Row H $145 obo each

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[Fozzie the Bear]

WHY Joe?
WHY???
Might as well bring back Gomes too!