Tampa Bay Rays: Austin Meadows, Brandon Lowe Back Following Fire

Tampa Bay Rays’ stars were absent from yesterday’s spring lineup against the Red Sox for personal reasons. They return today after a scare.

Sarasota, FL- The Tampa Bay Rays will meet the Baltimore Orioles in their fourth spring tilt following yesterday’s 2-2 tie against the Red Sox.

Austin Meadows was slated to leadoff for the Rays and man left field. As the players took the field it became apparent that Meadows had been replaced by Manuel Margot. After the game had started, it was reported that Meadows was removed from the lineup for personal reasons. As reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, those personal reasons turned out to be a brushfire that threatened the spring rental homes of Austin Meadows and Brandon Lowe.

The two had to rush over to their homes and make sure their families, animals, and some belongings were safe.

Both players are back in the lineup today as the Rays take on the Orioles in Sarasota. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m.

Rays’ Lineup

1. Austin Meadows (L) – LF
2. Mike Zunino (R) – C
3. Jose Martinez (R) – 1B
4. Brandon Lowe (L) – 2B
5. Daniel Robertson (R) – SS
6. Nate Lowe (L) – DH
7. Ryan LaMarre (R) – CF
8. Dylan Cozens (L) – RF
9. Mike Brosseau (R) – 3B

Orioles’ Lineup

1. Hanser Alberto (R) – 2B
2. Trey Mancini (R) – RF
3. Chris Davis (L) – 1B
4. Renato Nunez (R) – 3B
5. Dwight Smith Jr. (L) – LF
6. Jose Iglesias (R) – SS
7. Pedro Severino (R) – DH
8. Stevie Wilkerson (S) – CF
9. Bryan Holaday (R) – C

Key Notes

It’s interesting to see Mike Zunino slotted in at the number two spot in the lineup. Nate Lowe has been getting a lot of work at third, he’ll take over the DH duties as Mike Brosseau gets a chance to impress at the hot corner. The final bench spot could come down to a versatile impact bat. If Lowe can show well enough defensively at third this spring, he could clear some space for his bat.

Jose Martinez will get some work at first base. By all accounts, he has a very questionable glove. Whether or not the staff can trust him at first could have an impact on his playing time this season.

Charlie Morton will make his first start of the spring for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Key Active Players

Michael Perez will be available off of the bench. Perez is battling for the backup catcher spot with veterans Kevan Smith and Chris Herrmann.

Vidal Brujan and Randy Arozarena are both available off of the bench. Arozarena is off to a blazing start this spring, he’ll look to continue to impress.

The first pitch is scheduled at 1:05 p.m.