Upton out with shoulder strain

B.J. Upton left Thursday's game in obvious pain, grabbing his left shoulder after taking a swing in the top of the fifth inning, but the Rays say it is only a left shoulder strain, and consider him day-to-day.
Upton had a similar incident in August 2006, and missed only three games. He said then that he had previous problems in the minors but typically only missed a few days. There was talk of having Upton undergo surgery after the 2006 season, but that did not happen.
Thursday, Upton, who began the day fifth in the AL with 21 RBIs, was quickly hustled off the field and into the clubhouse with his arm tightly at his side and replaced by Nathan Haynes.

Rays and Yankees coming and goings

Injury updates and roster moves are the theme of the afternoon at Tropicana Field for both teams.

The biggest headline is from the Yankees clubhouse, with word that SS Derek Jeter is back in the lineup for the first time since last Monday, when he left the game with the Rays in New York due to a strained left quad.

There was positive news from the Rays side, where ace LHP Scott Kazmir threw two innings in an extended spring game - a day earlier than the Rays had announced - and said all went well. He will advance next a 3-4 inning rehab start for Class A Vero on Friday, with a plan to pitch twice more in the minors and rejoin the Rays for the May 3 game in Boston.

Also getting good reports are C Dioner Navarro, who had the stitches removed from his right middle and ring finger and did some throwing and swinging today with minimal discomfort and could be ready to return on schedule on April 20.

RHP Matt Garza (radial nerve irritation) also continues to progress well and is scheduled to throw off the mound on Tuesday. INF Ben Zobrist had his fractured left thumb checked by the doctor today and will have to wait two more weeks to have the pins removed.

The Yankees are also missing INF Wilson Betimet, who was placed on the DL due to pink eye; and are without RHP Joba Chamberlain, who went home to Nebraska to attend to his ailing father, and C Jose Molina, who has a sore hamstring. They brought up Chad Moeller from Triple-A and he will start tonight.
Chamberlain was put on the bereavement list and the Yankees called up Jonathan Albaladejo to bolster their bullpen.

The Rays lineup has a slightly different look, with Evan Longoria moved up to fifth in the order, hitting behind B.J. Upton to put back-to-back righthanders behind the first three lefties in the order.

So does the Yankees, with struggling 2B Robinson Cano benched and rookie Alberto Gonzalez, who had been filling in at short for Derek Jeter, moving to second.
The lineups:
RAYS
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Longoria, 3b
Hinske, dh
Riggans, c
Haynes, rf
Bartlett, ss
Sonnanstine, p

YANKEES
Damon, lf
Jeter, ss
Abreu, rf
Rodriguez, 3b
Matsui, dh
Ensberg, 1b
Cabrera, cf
Moeller, c
Gonzalez, 2b

Ouch: Floyd to DL, too

The injuries just keep coming for the Rays, with the news Wednesday that DH Cliff Floyd will have surgery Friday to repair a tear in the medial meniscus in his right knee, was placed on the 15-day DL and replaced on the roster by OF Justin Ruggiano.
That follows Tuesday night's move to RHP Matt Garza on the DL with irritation of the radial nerve in his right arm.
Both could be out 4-6 weeks, according to manager Joe Maddon.
"Not a good news day for the Rays,'' he said.
Floyd was scratched from the lineup Monday in New York with the Rays said was right knee soreness, but was said to be available to pinch-hit the last two games. But the soreness apparently persisted, and he underwent an MRI on Wednesday that showed the tear. Though Maddon said Floyd, 35, is likely to miss 4-6 weeks, Floyd said he hoped to be back in about three. Floyd started four games and was hitting .333 with two homers and 5 RBIs.
Ruggiano was an early cut in spring training, but was the first option to be recalled since he is already on the 40-man roster. In six games at Durham, Ruggiano was hitting .304 with one homer and 6 RBIs. He wil start tonight in rightfield, and figures to be out there against lefthanded pitchers, with Jonny Gomes as the DH.
Againts righthanded starters, the Rays are planning to use Eric Hinske at DH and Nathan Haynes in rightfield, Maddon said.
The Rays now have eight players on the DL: starters Scott Kazmir and Garza, catcher Dioner Navarro, infielder Ben Zobrist, outfielders Rocco Baldelli and Floyd, and relievers Kurt Birkins and Chad Orvella. Three have been hurt since the season started nine days ago - Floyd, Garza and Navarro.

Also:

* Scott Kazmir will throw another batting practice session before advancing to minor-league games, which would seem to push his projected return back to the end of April. The Rays had talked about moving him next to an extended spring game but Maddon said made a "cumulative call" to have him throw another BP session.

* Garza had an MRI on his right arm that he said showed "everything's fine" but he won't throw for at least five days, and will be reevaluated in two weeks. He also said he plans to be cautious in his comeback after seeing how former Twins teammate Francisco Liriano was injured.

* Jae Kuk Ryu was called up from Triple-A Durham to help out the heavily used bullpen for the next several days, but the Rays are saying they are likely to have someone else take Garza's next start on Sunday. Maddon ruled out long reliever J.P. Howell, which sure makes it seem likely that Jeff Niemann will be called up from Triple-A to make his first major-league start on Sunday.

As for tonight's lineup:
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Gomes, dh
Aybar, 3b
Riggans, c
Ruggiano, rf
Bartlett, ss
Andy Sonnanstine is starting.

- MARC TOPKIN, Times staff writer

Navarro leaves game with cut on right hand

Starting C Dioner Navarro left the game with what the team said was "a cut on his throwing hand" after the second inning.
Navarro, who grounded out in the first and caught both inning, did not take his turn at bat in the third. Shawn Riggans stepped in, with the bases loaded, and doubled in all three runs.
The Rays already were down one man with OF Jonny Gomes serving a one-game suspension.
With Navarro out and Riggans in the game, the Rays don't have a backup catcher.
Though the Rays haven't said anything offical, it seems unlikely to be a coincidence that veteran Mike Difelice was promptly pulled from the game at Triple-A Durham, putting him in line for a promotion if Navarro's injury is serious.

Crawford may be back after all

LF Carl Crawford's strained left groin is feeling better, so much that he said he expects to play again during this six-game homestand. Manager Joe Maddon said he hopes to have Crawford available on Saturday and went so far as to say it was even possible Crawford could pinch-hit in tonight's game against Boston.

"It was more encouraging than I thought,'' Maddon said. "He's going to go through some hitting drills and that kind of thing. I don't anticipate him to run like he can but we'll see if we can get him back out there to help us in some way.''

But, Maddon also said, he wouldn't use Crawford unless he felt 100 percent. And that if Crawford  doesn't play against the Red Sox or Yankees, he won't play in the final series at Toronto.

Crawford said though he felt better he was not quite ready to put a date on his return. "I'm not going to play with any soreness in my leg,'' he said.

Also, 2B Brendan Harris remains sidelined, leaving the Rays with a middle infield combo of Jorge Velandia at second and Josh Wilson at shortstop. Harris (strained left lat muscle) hopes to be back Saturday or Sunday.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, are still without 1B Kevin Youkilis (sore wrist) and LF Manny Ramirez (oblique strain), but do have CF Coco Crisp (sore back) and DH David Ortiz (sore knee) back in the lineup.

The Rays who are playing:

Iwamura, 3b
Norton, dh
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Young, rf
Gomes, lf
Navarro, c
Velandia, 2b
Wiilson ss
Kazmir, p

Also, 1B Wes Bankston, who was designated for assignment to make room for OF Justin Ruggiano on the 40-man roster, was claimed on waivers by Kansas City.

Ruggiano in, Harris out

OF Justin Ruggiano, who had a 20-20 season at Triple-A Durham, was promoted to the big-league team this morning. A corresponding move to create space on the 40-man roster will be announced later. LF
Carl Crawford remains sidelined.

2B Brendan Harris remains sidelined after straining a lat muscle during batting practice Tuesday, but is hopeful of playing again Friday.

Manager Joe Maddon reiterated that Scott Kazmir and the other members of the rotation will make their remaining starts and not be shut down as James Shields was.

Also, C Josh Paul, who has been sidelined with a sore back, left the team to deal with a family medical issue and will rejoin the Rays on Friday at the Trop.

Wednesday's matinee lineup:

Iwamura, 3b
Norton, dh
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Young, rf
Casanova, c
Gomes, lf
Velandia, 2b
Wilson, ss
Howell, p

Harris scratched from lineup

2B Brendan Harris was scratched fron Tuesday's lineup shortly before game time due to a strained left lat muscle. Josh Wilson went back into the lineup at shortstop and Jorge Velandia, who was to play short, moved to second. Harris was hurt during batting practice.

Navarro sent to hospital

BOSTON -- Rays catcher Dioner Navarro went to the hospital for tests after a collision with Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett in Thursday night's game against Boston.

The Devil Rays said Navarro was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital for X-rays.

Navarro ran into Beckett beyond first base bag after the pitcher went to the bag to cover on a ground ball to the right side. Navarro grabbed his chin and crumpled to the ground, where he lay for several minutes before being helped off the field, weak-legged, with a member of the training staff holding each arm.

"I thought it was chest-to-chest," Beckett said. "I looked over at him and he was knocked out cold. There as nothing going on with his body. I think it broke his jaw. ... I hope he heals quickly."

Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon said after the game that he did not know the test results, and that Navarro was still in the hospital.

The play was scored a single. Raul Casanova pinch ran.

Beckett remained in the game.

"I think my muscles took most of the blow," he said.

-- Associated Press

Dukes back in lineup

Elijah Dukes is in the Devil Rays lineup for Friday's game, leading off and playing centerfield. It will be Dukes' first game action since Wednesday's report of allegations by his wife that he threatened to kill her and their kids. He was on the bench for that last two games at Tropicana Field.

Baldelli update ...

Devil Rays CF Rocco Baldelli will miss at least a few days of spring training games due to a right hamstring injury and said it's possible he could be out longer.

Manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday he didn't expect Baldelli to be out for more than a few games: "I don't think it's anything serious at all.''

But Baldelli, who was out until June last season with hamstring problems that popped up around the same time of spring, said he had no way to know how severe the latest injury was and couldn't say whether it was more likely he'd  be out for three days or three months.

"I hope it's not the latter but I can't say. I honestly can't,'' Baldelli said. "If I told you guys I'd be lying.''
Baldelli said he couldn't tell if this injury was more severe than what happened to him last year.

"I can't tell anymore,'' he said. "I don't know. I've strained it and it's felt better in a day or two, and other times like last year in spring training I thought it was going to be fine and it wasn't. I wish I knew.''

Maddon said he did not think it was as serious as last spring and described it as "only a mild piece of tightness back there.'' He also said he would not come up with a contingency plan because Baldelli "is going to be there" on opening day.

Baldelli went through a light workout on Wednesday, including some jogging, and said he would be evaluated on a daily basis. It seems unlikely he would return before Sunday. He left Tuesday's game after four innings with tightness in the hamstring.

In Baldelli's absence, Elijah Dukes was to start in centerfield on Wednesday and Ty Wigginton was to move up to third in the batting order.

Also Wednesday, the Rays reduced their roster to 40 by optioning LHP Jeff Ridgway to Triple-A Durham.

Upton leaves game ....

The Devil Rays can't seem to avoid injuries. The latest to be hurt was 3B B.J. Upton, who was forced to leave Thursday's game with what the team said was a left shoulder strain.

Upton swung and missed at an A.J. Burnett pitch in the third inning Thursday, then quickly grabbed his shoulder and was in obvious pain, though he appeared to be able to move his arm as he walked to the dugout. The Rays said his status was "day-to-day.' Upton was replaced in the lineup by Ben Zobrist, who took over at shortstop with Tomas Perez moving to third.

The Rays bench has already been shorthanded because Greg Norton is sidelined with a sore hamstring that has limited him to pinch-hit duty.

Carl Crawford became the fifth active player to have at least four 40-steal seasons, joining Kenny Lofton, Eric Young, Juan Pierre and Tony Womack.

Upton on the way ...

The Devil Rays have decided to call up top infield prospect B.J. Upton from Triple-A Durham and he is expected to join them Monday night. Upton is expected to take over at third base.

The Rays had planned on calling him up soon anyway, and the broken hand sustained by Ty Wigginton on Saturday may have expedited the situation.

Upton hit .269 in 106 games at Durham with eight homers and 41 RBIs, along with a league-high 46 stolen bases.

Lugo back; Kazmir out

SS Julio Lugo returned to the Devil Rays lineup on Wednesday after missing three games due to a bruised middle finger. But as the Rays sorted through options of trading Lugo (to the Blue Jays or Red Sox) or, perhaps now more likely, signing him long-term, they have another problem.

Lefthanded ace Scott Kazmir has some soreness and tightness in his left shoulder and won't pitch during the upcoming series in New York. Both Kazmir and Rays manager Joe Maddon stressed that they don't consider the situation serious. Maddon said he will move Kazmir to the back end of the rotation and expects him to pitch Aug. 1 against the Tigers. "I have no major concerns,'' Maddon said. "I think the extra rest will do the trick.''

Tim Corcoran will start the series opener against the Yankees, followed by Jae Seo and James Shields.

Lugo still not playing for Rays

SS Julio Lugo remained out of the Devil Rays lineup Tuesday due to what is being described as a bruise on the tip of his right middle finger, but Lugo said he was "almost positive" he would play in Wednesday's matinee.

Lugo has not played since Saturday night, when he left the game after hitting two home runs in the fifth inning. He is the subject of considerable trade speculation, with the Toronto Blue Jays considered the most likely suitors.

Manager Joe Maddon also changed the lineup for Tuesday, dropping LF Carl Crawford back to the second spot, where he is most comfortable, and trying Rocco Baldelli in the leadoff spot.

The Rays on Monday reached the 100-game point of their season with a 41-59 record, which matches their third best mark at that point in a season. They had a club-best 47 wins in 2004.

Lugo (again) not playing for Rays ...

Shortstop Julio Lugo was out of the Devil Rays lineup for a second straight game Monday, though this time with a reason why - a bruise on the tip of his right middle finger. Lugo, the subject of significant trade rumors, was in the original lineup but scratched after testing the finger during batting practice. He has not played since leaving Saturday's game after hitting two home runs in the fifth inning. The Blue Jays are believed to be the team most interested in Lugo, and have young pitching to offer back to the Rays.

LOTS OF CHANGES

Joe Maddon said sending Seth McClung to Triple-A Durham to learn to be a closer could be the best thing for his career. It certainly couldn't hurt at this point as the right-hander is 2-10 and has lost six straight. McClung may not see it that way (he always talks about being a starter)but Maddon may be right. McClung has a 96-mph fastball and a good curve, the two absolutes for a closer. And he can be good in short spurts. If he can "harness'' his stuff for a short period and overcome any hurt feelings associated with being demoted and having his job description changed, he might just flourish. In the meantime, Edwin Jackson is being brought up from Durham and added to the pen and Tim Corcoran becomes a starter. Jackson is an interesting case. He pitched so well when he was with the Rays but struggled in Durham. Could be a mind thing in that he believes he belongs in the majors. Perhaps we'll see a better pitcher than he has shown lately.

   You've got to feel bad for Joey Gathright. A fan favorite, he was given every opportunity to stake a claim when Rocco Baldelli was hurt. But he failed and now he is traded to the Royals. Not only that, he was traded for a mid-level minor leaguer in J.P. Howell. It wasn't long ago Gathright was believe to be trade bait for Marlins hotshot Scott Olsen. But Gathright was exposed as a not-ready-for-prime-time major leaguer with bad plate discipline and shoddy defense. It's too bad for the Rays they couldn't pull the trigger on a trade during the winter or spring.