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Yesterday was a hugely important day for the Tampa Bay Rays, not because of their 2-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, but because Brent Honeywell and Jose De Leon took massive steps in their rehab process as they work their way back from Tommy John surgery.
Two of the Rays top pitching prospects, Honeywell and De Leon, each threw 15 pitches against the group of Nate Lowe, Kean Wong, and Michael Brosseau.
#HoneyDay2019 .
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 12, 2019
pic.twitter.com/sxQA1vO72G
What a better way to celebrate my surgery anniversary than facing hitters for the first time? #OnAMission pic.twitter.com/i00h6lUMWU
— Jose De León (@JDL_87) March 12, 2019
Rays pitching coach, Kyle Snyder, spoke to media following the session and came away highly encouraged with his two young hurlers. Kevin Cash spoke about De Leon and thought his velocity was high as he’s seen since De Leon was acquired by the Rays prior to the 2017 season.
Game Report
An unusually low scoring affair for the Rays yesterday, but they still came away with the 2-1 victory. The pitching staff impressed again, with Hoby Milner delivering the best performance, working two perfect innings and striking out four. Hunter Wood was the only Rays pitcher to allow a run.
Offensively, the team only collected four hits. Joey Wendle doubled, with Yandy Diaz, Austin Meadows, and Kevin Kiermaier all collecting singles during the afternoon.
Today, the Rays will be off, but Tyler Glasnow and Jose Alvarado will throw in minor league games.
News and Links
- Healthy and focused, Garcia eager for at-bats - Ralph Long, MLB.com
- Cash impressed by Rays’ spring play - Ralph Long, MLB.com
- Morton expects Rays contract to be his last - David Adler, MLB.com
- Michael Perez proving to be a big catch for Rays - Eduardo A. Encina, Tampa Bay Times ($)
- Rays manager Kevin Cash makes a trade for the ‘ages’ on ‘Old Baseball Cards’ - Mike Oz, Yahoo Sports
WANDER FRANCO HYPE TRAIN!
Vladimir Guerrero Jr may be the next dude, but @RaysBaseball would like to introduce you to the NEXT next dude: pic.twitter.com/GJZy2m2qQ8
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) March 12, 2019
- Predicting 2019 MLB Futures Game Rosters - Josh Norris, Baseball America
By the time the game is played, Franco will almost certainly be the No. 1 prospect in baseball. His first full season as a pro was one for the ages, and the biggest question in Cleveland on game day will be can any U.S. pitcher get Franco to swing and miss?
Not Rays related, but an important story
- How Detroit Tigers pitcher Matt Boyd is saving 36 girls in Uganda - Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press