For starters, Rays vs A's

Update 6 p.m. Manager Joe Maddon said LHP Brian Shouse looked really good in his simulated game Friday, especially his breaking ball.

Shouse will move on to another simulated game Monday in Port Charlotte, and could begin a rehab assignment later next week. Shouse said he feels great, and really close to rejoining the Rays, both both he and the Rays want to see him pitch on back-to-back nights before he comes back.

**

The Rays open a three-game series with the A's tonight, but Tropicana Field is already filled with activity.

There's LHP Brian Shouse, on the DL with a left elbow strain, starting his simulated game; and he will throw to two other rehabbing Rays, as backup C Shawn Riggans and OF Fernando Perez will hit against the lefty specialist.

Rays lineup

Upton cf
Crawford lf
Longoria 3b
Pena 1b
Zobrist, 2b
Burrell dh
Gross rf

Bartlett, ss

Navarro c
Niemann rhp

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[mockdraught]

If Riggans makes it back, gotta think quickly about ditching Navarro. He is unable to sustain focus game to game. Hernandez has earned his keep. If performance means everything, then Burrell would have to go for Perez. But we know performance does not mean everything. Isn't that a shame? Guaranteed contracts ruin things for everyone, especially for team players. And, of course, fans, who grease the wheels of the sport's economic engine.

[mockdraught]

when Shouse comes back, the softballer Bradford must go. He fools no one, except perhaps Andrew F.

[KennyNance]

REB, check the stats tomorrow, JB needs 1 more plate appearance to qualify. If you check it out, JB has 249 pa entering tonights game.

[Fordy]

Yes im excited about Desmond. But he is a year or two away from the show.

[REB]

I LIKE PEREZ BUT WE MAY HAVE MORE TALENT WITH DESMOND JENNINGS IN [AA]. HE STEALS A LOT OF BASES AND IS HITTING OVER .300.
ALSO WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE [AL] TOP 10 HITTERS ? BARTLETT HITTING .354 HAS MORE AB'S THEN MAUER OF THE TWINS, YET HE IS NOT LISTED BEHIND ICHIRO AS 3RD. SUSUKI IS HITTING .356. BARTLETT HAS 237 AB'S TO ONLY 229 FOR JOE MAUER. WHY ARE THEY OVERLOOKING JASON ??

[Fordy]

I liked what I saw from Perez last season. Im glad to see he is making his way back. I like Riggans too and he may be the better player but id be sad to see Michel sent down, he has done everything we could of asked of him.

[Chris S]

FANTASTIC news, isn't it? Just yesterday the reports were grim on Perez ... he wasn't happy with the progress he was making on his wrist. It would be great if these guys could come back soon.

[Gene]

Boy, what a treat to hear about Riggans and Perez working their way back to the lineup! It will be like making trade deadline deal to have them be available soon! Think about Fernando pinch running for Burrell after a late, close game hit! Hernandez has been a pleasant surprise as a backup catcher, but Riggans bat and ability to run the bases adds so much more to the team!