Zobrist headed to DL; Orvella and Birkins too

INF Ben Zobrist appears headed to the disabled list - and thus Elliot Johnson to the opening day roster - after Monday's exam showed that Zobrist's fractured left thumb had not improved enough for him to resume playing.
"It's not fully healed yet,'' Zobrist said. "It's just a waiting game from here on out.''
There's been nothing official yet from the Rays, but Zobrist hasn't been able to swing a bat since the injury on March 9, and is going to need at least several days of at-bats to get ready, which means he'll likely have to make a minor-league rehab appearance. His next checkup isn't until next Monday - and it isn't in Baltimore.
"This type of thing, it just takes a while,'' Zobrist said. "And you don't want to rush it because if you do, there is a chance of displacing it, and then you have to get a pin put in it and everything else.''
With Zobrist out, it appears to clear a space for Johnson, whose strong play (.463 average, .511 on-base percentage, 1.145 OPS) has been one of the stories of the spring for the Rays.
Johnson, who hit .207 at Durham last season, would fill Zobrist's role as the "super utilityman,'' playing wherever needed in the infield and outfield.
Earlier manager Joe Maddon said it was "more than likely" that relievers Chad Orvella (right shoulder) and Kurt Birkins (left elbow) would also open the season on the DL. Neither figured to make the squad.
And that's in addition to LHP Scott Kazmir and OF Rocco Baldelli, who are also both expected to be placed on the DL. Teams can backdate a 15-day DL move to March 21 and players can be active by April 5.

Gomes, Zobrist report

The position players continued to file in Tuesday morning, with the most recent additions to Rays spring training camp being outfielder Jonny Gomes and shortstop Ben Zobrist.

Gomes, a popular clubhouse guy, made quite an entrance. He also appeared to have lost about 15 to 20 pounds. He said he was the same weight -- 238 pounds -- as he was this time last season, but it was just in the "right places now."

Gomes, whose season was cut short last year with right shoulder surgery, said his throwing shoulder feels the best it has since his junior college days. He's been throwing long toss and hitting live batting practice, not bad for a guy who couldn't physically swing the bat without pain in August.

"I’m full go," Gomes said. "There’s no exercise, no hitting, no throwing that I have to hold back."

With a crowded outfield, the Rays asked Gomes in December if he would be willing to try playing first base. Gomes said he happily obliged, even borrowing Rocco Baldelli's first base mitt in order to get a feel for it. But on Tuesday Rays manager Joe Maddon said that if Gomes is healthy enough to throw and run well, he'll remain an outfieder.