LHP Carlos Hernandez and RHP Mitch Talbot, two of the candidates for the fifth starter’s spot, were among 11 players sent to the minor leagues by the Rays today, reducing the spring roster to 45.

Hernandez said he was disappointed, but also encouraged by how he has felt and thrown and hoped to get back to the majors (for the first time since 2004) sometime this season with the Rays. "I’m healthy, that’s the main thing,’’ he said.

Also shipped out were RHP Wade Davis, the promising prospect who showed this spring why he likely will be in the majors sometime this season, and SS Tim Beckham, the 19-year-old top pick from last year’s draft.

The others were RHPs Jason Childers, Dale Thayer, Winston Abreu, Julio DePaula and Dewon Day; INF Chris Nowak and C Matt Spring.

Beckham appears headed to the Rays new Class A affiliate in Bowling Green, Ky., for his first full season. "I learned so much,’’ he said.

Davis, Talbot and Thayer were optioned to Triple-A. The other players were reassigned to minor-league camp.

Sorry they kept laughing at you