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Busy Day In Tampa Bay; Decisions on Hammel, Niemann, Isringhausen, Joyce and More

Joe Maddon and Andrew Friedman have a few more decisions to make before the opener.(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

Joe Maddon and Andrew Friedman have a few more decisions to make before the opener.(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

As of now there is nothing new to report, but we expect the news to be heavy today. Here are some of the things that could be announced.

  • The winner of the fifth starter spot. With no trades imminent as of now, the Rays will name Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann as the fifth starter with the other going to the bullpen. Of course a last minute trade would make the decision much easier.
  • Jason Isringhausen's situation should be resolved rather quickly this morning. As I said yesterday the only real situation I can see him sticking with the organization is him going on the DL and then taking a rehab assigment of some sort.  This buys the Rays about a month or so of extra time.
  • If the Rays are not able to trade Niemann or Hammel, it looks like Lance Cormier is the odd man out in the bullpen race. I'm still holding out hope that he can wiggle his way onto the roster.
  • The battle for the B.J. Upton roster spot looks to be leaning toward Matt Joyce. Joyce has been getting a lot of playing time in centerfield and will make the start today with all of the other Rays regular starters. If he does made the roster, it seems Adam Kennedy would be left without a spot unless the Rays choose Kennedy over Ben Zobrist. Kennedy, however, is not on the 40 man roster.
  • Also the Rays could announce several players going on the DL like: Fernando Perez, Chad Bradford, Jake McGee and B.J. Upton. Upton is expected to start out his season with the Class A Charlotte Stone Crabs. The other three names are 60 Day DL candidates which would free up space on the 40 man roster.
  • We are also closely monitoring R.J. If another Tampa native claims he wants to play for the Rays or another talk radio host says Sheffield should play rightfield, he may explode.

Check back for the updates. You can also follow along on twitter or mobile.

0 recs  |  Comment 17 comments |

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I like Cormier too

but I also like Hammel and Niemann. I don’t want to lose any of the 3, but it seems like there is no chance that all 3 will still be Rays by Sunday

by Sveet on Apr 1, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sounds like extended ST

which avoids a minor league stint

by Raymondo on Apr 1, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Again.

As I said yesterday the only real situation I can see him sticking with the organization is him going on the DL and then taking a rehab assigment of some sort.

Extended Spring Training down in Port Chartlotte would fit.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 1, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kennedy to AAA
UPDATE, 10:14: Unofficially, the Rays have reassigned six more players to minor-league camp, including veteran INF Adam Kennedy. Also going are 1B Chris Richard, INF Ray Olmedo, OFs Jon Weber and Ray Sadler, and C Michel Hernandez.

The six are expected to accompany the Rays to Philadelphia for the weekend exhibitions, and then, assuming no injuries, trades or other issues, head to Durham for the Triple-A season.


From Topkin’s Blog at TampaBay.com

by Sveet on Apr 1, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Joyce!

I love this news but I still want to hear Maddon say it

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 1, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

MFJFTMFW

Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short. You'll be an old man before you know it.

-Al Lopez

by Sandy Kazmir on Apr 1, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rick Porcello and Ryan Perry both made the Tigers.....

Sigh, they learned nothing from rushing Miller

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 1, 2009 10:43 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Question:

Would they be able to send down McGee before DLing him? It seems silly that a guy who wouldn’t have been in the majors this year anyway would get a major league salary and start using up service time because he was added to the 40-man roster after he got hurt.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 11:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Oh absolutely

He’ll definitely be on the minor league DL. I don’t know if they have a minor league 60 day DL that frees up a roster spot. I’d imagine they don’t.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Apr 1, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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