Rays hire Martinez

The Rays made it official Thursday, hiring former OF Dave Martinez as their new bench coach.
They also announced that Don Zimmer, a senior advisor, will return for his 60th season in pro baseball.

Martinez, 43, was an original Devil Ray, starting in rightfield for the March 31, 1998, inaugural game, logging the franchise's first hit. He retired in 2001 after a 16-season big-league career and spent the last two springs working as an instructor with the Rays.
Four other returning coaches got two-year deals - Tom Foley (3B), Steve Henderson (hitting), George Hendrick (1B) and Bobby Ramos (bullpen).
There is still no word on the fate of pitching coach Jim Hickey, who was arrested on DUI and other charges after returning from the Sept. 30 season finale.

Ex-Ray Martinez may join coaching staff

The Devil Rays are looking at one of their former players to fill the open spot on the coaching staff.
Former Rays outfielder Dave Martinez met last week with executive VP Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon, with a decision expected by the end of the week.
“If they offer me the job, I would highly consider it,” Martinez said by phone Monday.
Martinez, 43, was an original Ray  then traded in 2000. He retired in 2001 after a 16-year  career  and still lives in the Tampa Bay area.
He was a spring instructor for the Rays in 2006 and this year filled in through the third week of the season when first-base coach George Hendrick was recovering from knee surgery.
Martinez made a strong impression on Maddon and enjoyed the experience enough to start thinking about a full-time position.
“It would be a lot of fun for me, and it would be different for the guys because I was on their side of it for a long time,” Martinez said. The Rays have an opening after not rehiring bench coach Bill Evers. Martinez could get that job, or take a base, with a returning coach, likely Tom Foley, moving to bench coach. The Rays also could restructure or add a quality-control coach.
Steve Henderson (hitting), Bobby Ramos (bullpen) and Hendrick are also coming back . The Rays haven’t determined the fate of pitching coach Jim Hickey, who was arrested on DUI and other charges after returning home from the  Sept. 30 season finale.

Sternberg backs Maddon

Manager Joe Maddon has taken a lot of criticism from fans, but he got a strong endorsement from principal owner Stuart Sternberg. "Joe's done a good job,"" Sternberg said. "It's not easy being upbeat or positive with all this and he has been.The players seem to be playing for him and they seem to be responding. Guys are hustling. ... It's no one person's fault here."

First day in the books

Year two of the Joe Maddon era officially opened today with the Rays' first full-squad workout at the Naimoli Complex.

There were plenty of highlights: Jonny Gomes' return, Casey Fossum's bullpen session and Elijah Dukes' batting practice show. But without a doubt, all eyes were on new Rays third baseman Akinori Iwamura.

With about 50 media members -- including some 30 Japanese reporters -- looking on, Iwamura participated in his first major league workout. It seemed like Aki had some trouble reading some of the plays (With a runner on first, he didn't understand when catcher Dioner Navarro called "One!" and he threw to second for a force), but he showed a solid glove and quick bat speed.

Left hander Casey Fossum threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session and said afterward that his surgically repaired left shoulder feels good. A leaner Jonny Gomes looks to have his swing back after shoulder surgery.

And then there was Elijah Dukes, who put four balls over the left-field wall on Field 3 in batting practice, hitting a couple of trees along 80th Street.

For more on Iwamura's debut and Gomes' return, check out Friday's Times

Ready to rock

The Devil Rays are set to open full squad workouts on Thursday morning at the Raymond A. Naimoli complex, 7901 30th Ave. N in St. Petersburg. Save for a few players delayed in the Dominican Republic by vias issues, the full group will be together and welcomed by manager Joe Maddon, who will deliver the keynote address.

High on the list of things to watch will be Japanese 3B Akinori Iwamura, who will participate in his first official major-league workout. Also, look for DH/OF Jonny Gomes, who reported in tremendous shape; CF Rocco Baldelli, who is fully healthy; LHP Scott Kazmir, whose left shoulder is a big key to what success the Rays will have; and RHP Seth McClung, who is making a big push for the closer's job.