What’s Important Now: Rodriguez Gets Off To Good Start

Spring Game 2: Twins 5, Rays 3

The Rays dropped their second straight spring game yesterday, losing both halves of a home and home with the Twins. The Twins were split squad in this game, playing another game with the Red Sox. Even though the Rays lost, there were some promising signs. Sean Rodriguez played his first spring game, going 2 for 2 with a run. Matt Joyce played his second straight game, going 1 for 2 with a RBI. Non-roster invitee Will Rhymes went 1 for 3 from the top of the order.

Jeremy Hellickson made his first start of the spring yesterday, pitching 2 scoreless frames. He only allowed one hit. New bullpen addition Fernando Rodney followed Hellickson, allowing 1 run on 2 hits in his inning. Joel Peralta and JP Howell each had scoreless appearances. Other new acquisitions Burke Badenhop and Josh Lueke each allowed a 2 run homer, which proved to be the difference in the game.

Spring Game 3: Orioles(SS) at Rays

Time: 1:05

Pitchers: Rays- Wade Davis, Alex Cobb, Alex Torres, Bryan Augenstein, Cesar Ramos, Matt Bush, and Matt Torra

Orioles- Alfredo Simon, Brad Bergesen, Zach Phillips, Miguel Socolovich, and Pedro Strop

Wade Davis and Alex Cobb will each get their first chance to make their case for the fifth spot in the starting rotation in this one. Alex Torres, who has a very outside shot of making the team, will also make his first appearance. We will also see Cesar Ramos and Matt Bush, both of whom are fighting for a spot in the bullpen. Bush has impressed so far this spring, so it will be interesting to see how he does in game action.

Rays News and Notes

• Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times takes a look at the journey of Jesus Feliciano, who has found himself with the Rays this spring.
• Marc Topkin of the Times catches us up on some of the minor notes from spring training.
• Roger Mooney of TBO.com looks at the risk the Rays took to re-sign JP Howell after an awful campaign last year.
• Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that Scott Boras may try to put Ivan Rodriguez in the Rays backup catcher spot. Pudge would provide another veteran defender in there for the Rays and he still has a decent bat, so it could be a good fit.