According to Marc Lancaster, via Twitter:
tboraysMatt Joyce wins final spot on Rays' bench
Well, we had assumed Joyce would not be the opening day right fielder, and it seems he won't be. Opening day center fielder however? Well, maybe. It's a pleasant alternative to Ben Zobrist, given Joyce's prospective future with the club.This presumably makes the opening day outfield consist of three left-handed hitters with Carl Crawford and Gross flanking Joyce, which makes sense, given Josh Beckett throws with his right arm. To see more information about Joyce, including the initial reaction to the Edwin Jackson deal, click here.
The Rays have one more decision to go before hitting the road, and that involves Jason Hammel/Jeff Niemann/Lance Cormier.