3 years for Wheeler; C.C. option picked up, Rocco declined

The Rays did as expected Tuesday in picking up OF Carl Crawford's 2009 option for $8.25-million and declining OF Rocco Baldelli's $6-million option by giving him a $4-million buyout and making him a free agent after the season, but what was unexpected was a three-year, $10.5-million contract for reliever Dan Wheeler with an option for 2011.
The Rays had signed Wheeler to a $2.875-million one-year contract before the season to avoid arbitration, but the new three-year deal replaces that. Wheeler will get $2.8-million this season, $3.2-million in 2009, $3.5-million in 2010 and either a $1-million buyout or a $4-million salary in 2011. He will also make a donation of at least $150,000 to team charitable foundation.
"We've worked hard to try to address our bullpen situation and we feel like Dan will be an important part of our bullpen going forward and getting important outs late in games for us,'' executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "I think he'd be the first to say last year was not a typical Dan Wheeler season and all parties agree this year and future years will be much better and he'll be an important part of our bullpen going forward.''
Wheeler, 30, started his career with the Rays and after stints with the Mets and Astros came back to Tampa Bay last July in a trade from Houston, going 0-5 with a 5.76 ERA in 25 games. He is targeted primarily for seventh-inning setup work this season, but does have 25 major-league saves. In 327 games, he is 12-26 with a 4.09 ERA.
In a statement released by the team, Crawford, 26, thanked principal owner Stuart Sternberg and indicated he would be interested in staying beyond 2010, for which the Rays hold another option.
“I'm very happy,'' Crawford said. "I would like to thank the Rays organization and Stu Sternberg for believing in me. I'm grateful for the opportunity for this day. I'm looking forward to being here for a long time because I think we're at the start of something great going on here. I want to do well for them and represent the team in a classy manner.”
Baldelli's playing status is uncertain as he remains sidelined by a rare disorder that leaves him fatigued. Friedman said the Rays would hope to keep him in the organization. "The most important thing right now is to address Rocco's health situation and once we're able to move beyond that we'll do everything in our power to keep him in a Rays uniform,'' Friedman said.
Declining the 2009 option saved the Rays about $4-million, since they not only would have had to pay him a $6-million salary but would have been on the hook for another $2-million buyout for future options.

Baldelli's issues: "Abnormalities" that cause extreme fatigue

Rocco Baldelli will be sidelined indefinitely - but is not retiring - because of what he said are "some type of metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities,'' a condition that leaves him feeling extremely fatigued after just a brief workout.

"When I say "fatigued" my body is literally spent after a very short amount of time out on the field which makes it extremely frustrating and difficult, but it's kind of a reality right now,'' he said during a 13-minute session with reporters before Wednesday's game. "I feel like I've done a serious workout after a very short period of time, and it's a very odd feeling. ... I try not to be too dramatic when I explain what's going on, but it's not easy when you're out on the field for a very short period of time and you're done, and you're not really worth anything else out there. That's a tough thing to handle because you wonder why. You wonder why this is how your body feels.''

Baldelli, 26, said there has been no exact diagnosis but the consensus of several experts was the rare condition that limits the ability of his muscles to recover. "Basically somewhere along the line ... either my body is not making or producing or storing ATP the right way and therefore not allowing, apparently, my muscles to work as they should, and especially recover like they're supposed to on a day-to-day basis. It becomes very difficult to go out and literally be on the field every day and play.''

ATP, according to the website health.howstuffworks.com is a chemical, adenosine triphosphate, that is the energy source for muscles and "in order to continue exercising, your muscles must continuously make ATP. To make this happen, your body must supply oxygen to the muscles and eliminate the waste products and heat. The more strenuous the exercise, the greater the demands of working muscle. If these needs are not met, then exercise will cease - that is, you become exhausted and you won't be able to keep going."

Baldelli provided this description:
"I think the best way to describe it is literal muscle fatigue and cramping way before my body should be feeling these things. I would go out there and I was pretty much incapable of doing basic baseball activities, running and hitting and throwing. These were things I had done my whole life pretty easily and at some point within the last two years, we're not exactly sure why, these things started to change.''
Baldelli moved to verge of tears several times in discussing details of his condition for the first time. He indicated he did not consider the condition life-threatening, saying "it's not something I'm overly worried about as far as on a long-term basis right now. And he said he would do "everything in my power" to get back on the field, but there was no timetable for a return, whether this season or ever. The Rays will place him on the disabled list to start the season and "identify" a replacement to be part of a platoon situation in right field and provide depth at the other spots and DH.

"As far as my baseball career I'm not here to stand in front of you telling you I'm retiring,'' Baldelli said. "We're still going pursue any avenue that we can to try to figure out what is going on and have a better understanding of what is going on. But at this time throughout all of the extensive testing that we've  done, we don't have a concrete answer. The doctors' consensus is these are the problems that I'm experiencing and there's probably a lot of medical proof of these things but they have been unable to specifically identify an exact reason or an exact problem down to a specific name. That's kind of frustrating.''

Baldelli said he will remain on the disabled list "indefinitely until we find out something else that could possibly improve my situation.''

Executive vice president Andrew Friedman termed Baldelli's condition "extremely rare" for professional athlete but said the Rays will work diligently to find a way to get him back on the field.
"The most important thing is I think all of us are cautiously optimistic,'' Friedman said. "I don't have a medical reason to feel that way, but I know with Rocco's determination, with our training staff, with modern medicine the way it is, I refuse to believe there's not a way we can figure this out. It may prove to be naive. It may prove to be right. We don't know yet.''

Baldelli thanked the Rays for their support, saying "this is probably as difficult and frustrating a thing I've ever had to deal with as a person. And we're going to do everything we can to fix and hopefully solve this problem.''

Before Baldelli spoke, Rays manager Joe Maddon offered this perspective:
"It's tough to figure out. It's something that he feels. It's something that unless you're inside that body you have no idea what it feels like. And it's unfortunate because you're talking about a gifted athlete right here. One of the more gifted athletes I would think in all of the American League given a chance to play on a daily basis. So it's hard. It's hard for him. It's harder for him than for us. It's frustrating for us, it's a career for him. It's a way of life. It's supporting his family in the future. It's difficutl. So we're just trying to pay attention to him and respect, because you have no idea what he feels like and it's frustrating. But it's even more frustrating for him.''

Baldelli, 26, has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring strain in a May 15 game, and has played just twice this spring, last on March 4, because his legs haven't recovered well and don't feel right.
"It's not really encouraging right now, it hasn't really been progressing,'' Maddon said before Wednesday's game. "It's one of those day by day situations and it's not moving forward.''

Baldelli and Rays can move forward

Shortly after batting practice Wednesday, Rays OF Rocco Baldelli will clarify that he won't be ready to play at least at the start of the season and will reveal some details - and possible explanations - of the mysterious medical condition that prevents his legs from feeling well enough for him to return to the field.

"It's not really encouraging right now, it hasn't really been progressing,'' manager Joe Maddon said during his morning media session. "It's one of those day by day situations and it's not moving forward.''

The revelations will be important for Baldelli, who has been in the uncomfortable position of offering vague answers and updates on his progress to a series of reporters and others on a daily basis. While it won't make him feel any better, explaining what he can should provide some sense of relief.

And it will be important for the Rays, who now can come up with a revised plan for the rightfield/DH slots, which Baldelli was to share with Jonny Gomes and Cliff Floyd. But what isn't known - yet anyway - is if the Rays will view this as a short-term situation and seek to fill the roster spot internally, with non-roster invitees John Rodriguez and Jon Weber standing out, or assume Baldelli won't be back anytime soon and seek more of a fulltime replacement, such as signing free agent Kenny Lofton.

Maddon said Weber looks to be the better defensive offensive player and Rodriguez the better offensive player and that both will get considerable playing time over the next week or so. Important to the decision is who can best handle being the backup centerfielder since the Rays don't have anyone else on the roster to handle that.

And this will all unfold on probably the biggest media day of the spring, with the Yankees making their only visit to St. Petersburg.

Baldelli is expected to continue his comeback attempt and not retire, as has been speculated. The Rays have to decide by April 1 on a $6-million option for 2009 or a $4-million buyout.

Baldelli must show something soon; Kazmir has

Manager Joe Maddon said there was "nothing new" on the status of OF Rocco Baldelli, but also said the team probably needs to know something about his availability by the end of this week.
Baldelli's legs have not recovered well since he last game appearance on Tuesday. Maddon said the Rays will continue to evaluate Baldelli on a daily basis, though he didn't play Saturday and "probably" won't on Sunday.
"It's not like we're not worried about it right now (but) over the course of the next week something's probably got to give in a positive direction to know that he's going to be able to to get out there with any kind of regularity,'' Maddon said. "You're looking to get nine innings, whether it's as a DH or an outfielder so I'd say the next week is going to be very vital or important to determine that.''
Maddon gave the same report as Baldelli did, that there has been no setbacks or new injury, but "it's just how he feels right now, and it hasn't felt as well as he would like it to feel to play in the game. That's just how it is.'
On the positive side, ace Scott Kazmir will move to the next phase of his recovery from an elbow strain on Monday when he throws a bullpen session. That news came after Kazmir had another impressive day playing catch Saturday with head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield.
"His instructions to Kaz were to throw easily, and that didn't happen,'' Maddon said. "He just feels very good. It's very loose and free. He feels good.''
Kazmir had made such good progress since being sidelined Feb. 26 that the Rays are mapping out a schedule that could have him pitch the March 31 opener. After the Monday bullpen session, he likely will throw another light bullpen, or a batting practice session, midweek and make his exhibition debut on March 14 or 15.

Kazmir looks good, Baldelli not so good

LHP Scott Kazmir looked good enough in a throwing session Thursday morning that manager Joe Maddon said he was now "pretty optimistic" Kazmir could make the opening day start on March 31.
Kazmir has been sidelined with an elbow strain but Maddon said the Rays have now mapped out a plan that could have Kazmir making his exhibition debut by the end of next week.
Kazmir played catch at a distance of about 90 feet on Thursday (and looked "very good,'' Maddon said) and assuming all remains well Kazmir would throw a bullpen session on Sunday or Monday, then "might be ready" for a spring game a few days after that.
"By doing that we could get him on task, or back on, possibly for the opening day of the season also, so we'll see how that all goes,'' Maddon said. "We'll be able to build back from the moment we know he can pitch in that game. ... From what I saw today I'm pretty optimistic. He looked normal and he was not holding back and I think it could be right about that time he's going to be ready to go.''

The news on OF Rocco Baldelli, however, wasn't good and potentially ominous, with Maddon saying Baldelli's next appearance (which was to be Thursday or Friday) may be delayed. Baldelli had two at-bats in Tuesday's rain-cancelled game - jogging to first after flying out - and apparently didn't respond well, and Maddon said a decision on whether he could play Fridya would be made in the morning, but it didn't sound good.
"He just wasn't up to speed and I've just got to make sure with (head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield) this being the vague situation that it is,'' Maddon said. "I'm just really not sure that he's going to be able to play (Friday) based on recovery after the last time out.''
Baldelli missed most of last season with hamstring injuries and the Rays have planned to take it slow throughout the spring.

No Rocco in the outfield ...

(UPDATE, 1:05 p.m.)
Rocco Baldelli said as far as he knew he was scheduled to be the DH and not play the outfield in Wednesday's intrasquad so there was no change in plans. He batted twice, hitting into a double play and reaching on an error, and took it easy on the bases. He said all went well in his first game action since last May's season-ending hamstring injury: "Everything was fine - nice and smooth.''

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Rocco Baldelli was scheduled to play in the outfield in today's intrasquad game, according to manager Joe Maddon, but instead will DH.
There's no official explanation yet, but it likely has something to do with the fields being wet and the weather being nasty. Baldelli, who missed most of last season due to hamstring problems, has already said he will take it easy this spring and not take any chances with his legs.
The clubhouse was closed to the media early Wednesday morning due to one of the standard series of spring training meetings, this one on the perils of driving while impaired.
An official update from executive VP Andrew Friedman is expected mid-morning on the condition of LHP Scott Kazmir; the Times reported in Wednesday's editions that an MRI showed no serious injury but that he is expected to be sidelined about two weeks.
Another highlight of the morning: RHP Jae Kuk Ryu walking around the clubhouse wearing his uniforn and the head of mascot Raymond.
As for who is scheduled to play in the 11 a.m. intrasquad game:
Foley's Feinsteins
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Pena, 1b
Floyd, DH
Gomes, rf
Hinske, 3b
Navarro, c
Bartlett, ss
Weber, cf
Shields, rhp
Other pitchers: Gary Glover, Scott Munter, J.P. Howell, Jeff Niemann, Calvin Medlock.

Martinez's Mud Dogs
Ruggiano, cf
Zobrist, ss
Baldelli, dh
Rodriguez, lf
Guzman, rf
Longoria, 3b
Richard, 1b
Gimenez, c
Cannizaro, 2b
Garza, rhp
Other pitchers: Dohmann, Birkins, Ryu, Talbot, Davis
And new acquisition Willy Aybar, who'd been delayed by visa problems in the Dominican Republic, is scheduled for his first action as a replacement in rightfield, but he has to go through a series of medical tests and hadn't been seen in the clubhouse by the time the meeting started.

Rocco back, won't play

OF Rocco Baldelli rejoined the Rays on Thursday in Seattle with no plans to play again this season but confident he will be back on the field next season.

"I'm not going to be playing any more this season,'' Baldelli said. "I fully plan on playing next year. ... I fully plan on being in spring training and being ready to go.''

He has been out since mid May when he strained his left hamstring, and twice has had to cut short rehab assignments due to recurring problems.

Baldelli has undergone an extensive series of tests and said the results have not yielded the cause of his problem, or any indication he has serious medical issues. Several results are still outstanding.

Asked if the results meant catastrophic illness could be ruled out, Baldelli said: "I would think (so); a lot of the results we did get back did say pretty much I'm a pretty healthy 25-year-old male. That's pretty much what the results came back so far. There really haven't been any results that have shown anything at all. They've bascially said that every result we've gotten back so far has been completely negative. That makes me feel good. That makes we feel like eventually when we find out what it is it's something that's going to be treatable.''

Baldelli understands there has been a mystery about the situation. "In one way I want to find out what the problem is; in another way I'd rather there be no actual real problem with me. ... It's kind of an unusual situation. If you don't know what the problem is it's difficult to try to get some results to treat it.''

Baldelli said there were so many tests he does not know what specifically he has been tested for. "A lot of the tests have to do with my legs and while they respond the way they do,'' he said.

"It's not like we're trying to keep a secret,'' he said. "I know I'm getting tested for a lot of different things and I'm not sure exactly what they all are so it's a little bit stressful situation, but it will be over pretty soon and I'll have some answers.

Baldelli placed on disabled list

CF Rocco Baldelli was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday and replaced by Greg Norton, who has been sidelined since the end of spring training and right knee surgery. Baldelli, who strained his left hamstring, could be out as long as six weeks.

-- Marc Topkin

Baldelli headed to DL?

CF Rocco Baldelli appears headed to the 15-day disabled list according to manager Joe Maddon. Baldelli left Tuesday's game with a left hamstring strain. The Rays are likely to play shorthanded Wednesday and have a replacement, like Greg Norton, on hand Thursday. Baldelli was still sore on Wednesday and the Rays were waiting for final medical evaluation. Elijah Dukes and B.J.  Upton will both see time in centerfield.

Promo time

The second full squad workout of the spring ended without any casualties on Friday, which is something of a success given the schedule featured live batting practice - with pitchers who have been in camp for a week throwing to hitters who just showed up.

Jonny Gomes had another big day, knocking a number of balls over the fence. J.P. Howell looked impressive on the mound.

The front office was busy too, announcing a promotional schedule that includes a team-record 37 giveaways. Highlights include a replica of Tropicana Field (April 7), Akinori Iwamura Thunderstix (June 14), Don Zimmer Turn Back the Clock bobblehead on June 23, a Carl Crawford Action Figure (July 29), a Scott Kazmir baseball card with a piece of a game-used jersey (Aug.4), figurines of Rocco Baldelli (Aug. 18) and Delmon Young (Aug. 25).  There are giveaways for children at all Sunday home games.

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.