Rays bring back Reyes, designate Dohmann

The Rays started the day with a roster move Wednesday, as RHP Al Reyes was activated from the disabled list and RHP Scott Dohmann was designated for assignment to make room.

Dohmann was 2-0 but had a 6.14 ERA after four straight rough outings. In his first eight appearances he had a 2.38 ERA. Reyes has been out since April 16, first with what was described as a shoulder impingement, then with biceps tendinitis. He has pitched in seven games with a 1-2 record and 9.00 ERA.

The Rays have 10 days to trade, release or pass Dohmann through waivers in an effort to keep him at Triple-A Durham. If he clears waivers he would have the right to refuse the assignment and become a free agent.

He said he would to see what happened. "I know they'd love to keep me and I'd love to stay,'' Dohmann said. "But I have to go through waivers and we all know how that process works.''

Dohmann said he felt he pitched well enough to stay.

"No doubt,'' he said. "I'm totally comfortable here both chemistry wise and performance wise. Take away my last three games which were rough, but in the grand scheme of things the way I pitched for them I'm very pleased with it, from last year into this year.''

Price to be out six weeks

LHP David Price, the Rays top draft pick, won't make his pro debut for about six more weeks after sustaining what the team said was a muscle strain in his left elbow. The injury, which occurred during a minor-league game Thursday is not considered serious, but the Rays project it will take that long for Price to work his way into shape to pitch in regular-season games.
"The good news is that obviously it's nothing significant,'' executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "We had that sense pretty soon after it happened but it's always good to get confirmation. Hearing the report the biggest delay is just going to be in terms of building him back up not necessarily getting him healthy.''
Price, who hasn't been in a regular-season game since June 1 for Vanderbilt, was to pitch for advanced Class A Vero Beach; now he is likely to remain in St. Petersburg for extended spring training workouts into at least mid-May.

Rays set rotation

Manager Joe Maddon unveiled the rotation to start the season, and the biggest surprise is that Andy Sonnanstine will be the No. 3 starter behind James Shields and Matt Garza. Jason Hammel and Edwin Jackson will fill out the Nos. 4 and 5 spots in an order to be determined later.
RHP Jeff Niemann was optioned to Triple-A Durham and LHP J.P. Howell appears headed to the long relief spot in the bullpen.

Brian Anderson's injury career-ending

LHP Brian Anderson''s latest injury is career-ending, manager Joe Maddon said.
"He's done,'' Maddon said.
Anderson, 35, was impressive in his attempt to comeback from two Tommy John surgeries and three years away from the majors, but he walked off the mound during Wednesday's game and an MRI Thursday morning showed significant injury - a torn ulnar collateral ligament and a torn flexor mass muscle (which is the muscle on the inside of the elbow). It is the third time he has torn the ligament and the second time he has torn the muscle.
"Obviously something went wrong with the repair,'' Maddon said immediately after Thursday's game in Fort Myers. "I don't know all the technicalities, I don't know all the exact verbiage of the whole thing, but I do know that he's done.''
Maddon said the Rays were excited about how Anderson could help on the mound and the presence he would add to their clubhouse.
"It's really a big disappointment,'' Maddon said."He was doing so well and we were starting to really count on the fact that he was going to help us this year.''
Anderson, who walked off the mound three batters into the sixth inning, had been considered ahead of schedule in his comeback, and the Rays were optimistic that, perhaps after spending some time in the minors to get back into a routine, he could be part of their bullpen. Maddon said Anderson had been clocked as high as 88 mph in Wednesday's game.

Rays add 'power' pitcher

The Rays have already decided who will be on the mound for the first pitch of the April 8 home opener, and it's the stocky righthander from Purdue - recently retired Bucs running back Mike Alstott.

Alstott, a Rays season-ticket holder, will get the ceremonial honors, then would seem likely to be followed by No. 3 starter Matt Garza.

"Mike's accomplishments transcend the excellence he has displayed on the football field,'' Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. "He is a great role model and his charitable contributions have made Tampa Bay a better place to live. The Rays are proud to honor Mike for his career, his character and his ongoing contributions to the Tampa Bay community.''

Alstott joins a list of celebrity tossers that includes Gov. Charlie Crist (2007), U.S. Army Gen, Tommy Franks (2002), Wade Boggs (2000) and Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Monte Irvin and Al Lopez (1998).

Rays add lefty Trever Miller

UPDATE (5 P.M.)
The Rays announced that Miller passed his physical and the deal was official. He takes the last open spot on the 40-man roster, and increases the spring camp roster to 54. His signing could push the Rays' opening day payroll to around $42-million.
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The Rays are set to sign lefthanded reliever Trever Miller to a one-year contract with an option for 2009.
Miller, 34, spent 2004-05 with the Rays, going 3-3 with one save in 121 appearances, then the last two seasons with the Astros.
Under terms of the deal, which will become official once Miller passes a physical, he will make $1.6-million this season, and the Rays will have a $2-million option for next year, or a $400,000 buyout.
Miller, who has made his year-round home in Land O'Lakes, was thrilled with the opportunity.
"It's been a blessing to be able to play big-league baseball at home,'' Miller said. "I didn't think it would happen again. Andrew (Friedman) gave us a call at the end of the season and we met with him, the process took longer than we wanted it to, they had to sign a few other guys so we had to wait for that to transpire, and we were rewarded for our patience.''
Miller compiled a 4.86 ERA in 78 appearances last season for the Astros, holding lefthanded hitters to a .209 average.
Miller is often used for brief, sometimes one batter, appearances, In nine major-league seasons, Miller has pitched in 451 games (379 innings) with a 12-14 record and eight saves.
He said he is excellent shape and hopes for the opportunity for more work.
"I'm not one-dimensional, and I have never have been, but you get labeled when you do something well,'' Miller said. "I'd like to be used in that role and more. I think I can get righthanders out too. Hopefully they'll give me an opportunity and I'll run with it.''

Rays add Anderson, bring back Paul

The Rays will bring LHP Brian Anderson and C Josh Paul to camp on minor-league contracts.
Anderson, 35, last pitched in the majors in 2005, spending the last two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery. He has an 82-83 career record and 4.74 ERA, having pitched for the Angels, Indians, Diamondbacks and Royals. He made six starts for the Royals in 2005 before sustaining an elbow injury. He was Arizona's first pick of the November 1997 expansion draft, following the Rays selection of Tony Saunders.
Paul, a favorite of manager Joe Maddon, spent the last two seasons as the Rays backup, and will compete with Shawn Riggans and Mike Difelice for the job again. He hit .190 last season, limited to 35 games due to an elbow injury sustained in May. Paul, 32, has played parts of nine seasons in the majors, compiling a .244 career average with 10 home runs.

Shields deal set; announcement Wednesday

UPDATE (11:40 p.m.)
The new deal could pay Shields more than $38-million over the full seven years, the Times has learned. Plus there are incentive clauses that could push the total value to more than $40-million. The guaranteed portion of the deal - the first four seasons and a buyout of the options - is believed to be worth about $12-million.

UPDATE (10:21 p.m.)
The Rays have completed the long-term contract with James Shields and will announce it Wednesday at a 2 p.m. media conference. "It's a done deal,'' agent Page Odle said after leaving a meeting. The contract could keep Shields with the Rays for seven seasons, through 2014, with the first four years guaranteed and the Rays holding options for the next three.

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Rays pitcher James Shields' agent is meeting with the Rays tonight to finalize a long-term contract that, with options, could keep the righthander with the team for the next seven seasons.

"My goal is to have this done tonight,'' agent Page Odle said.

The deal is expected to be completed and announced on Wednesday. The Rays have scheduled what they describe as a "major announcement regarding a player signing" at 2 p.m. Shields was in St. Petersburg on Tuesday for physical exams.

"We have a couple of issues to still resolve,'' Odle said. "The years and terms are still being talked about. There's a couple different scenarios.''

The deal, which likely will include up to three options years, would be somewhat unusual in terms of length (especially for a starting pitcher, given the usual injury risks) and because Shields, with 1 year and 125 days of major-league service, won't be eligible for arbitration until 2010 and free agency in 2013.

The deal would go into effect for the upcoming season and is likely to be similar in structure to the contract the Rays gave OF Rocco Baldelli in November 2005, in which three years were guaranteed (for $5-million, plus a $4-million buyout) and the Rays held options for three more seasons (that could be worth another $23-million).

By extending the deal to all seven years, the Rays would have the opportunity to "buy out" Shields' first two seasons of free agency. He is under team control for the 2008-09 seasons (with projected salaries in the $425,000-$475,000 range) and would be eligible for arbitration the next three seasons. (There is a slim chance he could be eligible for arbitration in 2009 as a "Super Two" player based on how many other players have between two and three years' of service time.) 

In essence, the Rays would get cost certainty over the length of the deal and the potential for a bargain while Shields would get the security of guaranteed millions.

Shields, 26, was 12-8 with a 3.85 ERA last year in his first full major-league season, throwing 215 innings (10th most in the AL) despite skipping his last two starts under team orders. His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 184-36 was second-best in the majors, and among the best in major-league history for a pitcher 25 or younger.

Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said last week the team was "optimistic" of completing the deal shortly.

Rays strike two-year deal with Percival

The Rays bolstered their bullpen by reaching agreement with veteran reliever Troy Percival on a two-year deal Thursday night.

"We're just finishing up a couple things but basically we're there,'' agent Paul Cohen said. "Troy's very excited.''

Percival, 38, took and passed a physical for the Rays on Thursday in St. Petersburg and will be introduced on Friday after completing a deal that is worth $8-million over two years and could exceed $10-million based on appearances and games finished.

Percival starred for the Angels when Rays manager Joe Maddon was a coach in Anaheim, spent two seasons retired following an elbow injury (sustained at Tropicana Field in a July 9, 2005 game) and made an impressive comeback last summer with St. Louis, posting a 1.80 ERA in 40 innings over 34 games.

He would join, and could possibly supplant, Al Reyes as the Rays closer. Percical chose the Rays over several teams, reportedly including the Yankees and Brewers.

Also Thursday, RHP Matt Garza and SS Jason Bartlett, the two key pieces acquired from Minnesota on Wednesday for RF Delmon Young, said they were excited to join the Rays.

"I was surprised because I didn"t think I was really leaving Minnesota, but after thinking about it, it's a great opportunity for me,'' Bartlett said. "They've got a lot of young talent over there and from what I heard it's a great group of guys and I heard the coaching staff is awesome. ... It sounds like a good fit for me and I'm excited.''

Howell, Ridgway on the way

With the end of Triple-A Durham’s season, LHPs Jeff Ridgway and J.P. Howell are being called up and will join the Rays on Monday in Anaheim.

Howell, 24, has been very effective at Triple-A, going 7-8, 3.38 in 21 starts for the Bulls and extremely ineffective for the Rays, going 1-4, 7.36 in eight starts. Ridgway, 27, will make his major-league debut after going 2-3, 3.05 in 54 relief appearances.

Try again ...

After blowing an early and healthy lead for the third straight night, the Rays return to the field in Seattle on Friday hoping things turn out differently. Manager Joe Maddon said they have to get better in those late inning situations, but the "how" will be interesting.

RF Delmon Young turned 22 on Friday, and does so with a chance to become the 12 player since 1900 to have as many as 190 hits in a season at his age. Young goes into play Fridday with 171.

The Rays are again without LF Carl Crawford, who will serve the second game of his suspension tonight.

Relief coming

The Rays took the first of two steps to bolster their bullpen on Monday by recalling righthanded pitcher Jason Hammel from Triple-A Durham, where he was 4-5, 3.42 as a starter.

They are expected to make another move Tuesday, when they sign veteran righthander Jay Witasick, who was released last week by Oakland after going 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in 16 games.

Witasick will first go through a workout Tuesday morning.

If he is signed, the Rays are expected to designate for assignment Tim Corcoran to make room on the 40-man roster.

Hammel will initially work on long relief.

Witasick, who hasn't pitched in a game since May 29, will have the opportunity to pitch in key late-inning situations. In 12 big-league seasons, he is 32-41 with a 4.59 ERA. He cleared waivers on Monday.

Also, veteran righthander Jae Seo accepted an assignment to Triple-A Durham.

-- Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Rays not ready to say Price is right

Though Vanderbilt LHP David Price has long been considered the leading candidate to be the top pick in Thursday’s draft, Devil Rays officials said Friday they will wait before making a decision.

The Rays are also considering Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters and California prep third baseman Josh Vitters, though they may be watching as much to make sure nothing goes wrong with Price, who is pitching today in the NCAA Regionals, as much as anything.

“We’re still mulling,’’ scouting director R.J. Harrison said. “Two of the guys are done playing, David Price is still pitching. So I think any decision or getting completely locked in would be premature at this point. We’re pretty comfortable with where we’re at. As far as the final decision, we’re still a few days off.’’

This is the third time the Rays have had the No. 1 overall pick – they took Josh Hamilton in 1999 and Delmon Young in 2003.

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.

Kazmir an All-Star

Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir was named to the American League All-Star team on Sunday, elected by his peers on strength of his 9-5 record and 3.59 ERA. "It's an unbelievable feeling to be part of an All-Star team,'' the 22-year-old lefthander said. Kazmir is the only Rays' representative for the July 11 game as leftfielder Carl Crawford was not voted in or chosen by AL/White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. Manager Joe Maddon said he hoped Crawford would receive consideration if any additions have to be made due to injuries.