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Yan arbitration case falls in favor of Rays

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays got their first win of the season Friday.

A panel of arbitrators ruled in favor of Tampa Bay and against Esteban Yan. The closer still gets a hefty raise -- he'll make $1.5-million this season -- but it's not as much as he had hoped.

Yan, who made $650,000 last season while going 4-6 with a 3.90 ERA, 22 saves and an American League-tying nine blown saves, sought $2.4-million.

"The arbitration process is a tool for both the team and the player to use if they feel like it's warranted," Rays general manager Chuck LaMar said. "Esteban's case was the first in club history. We felt it was warranted and obviously the arbitrators felt that way about our case.

"We have complete confidence Esteban will come into spring training and compete as always. He'll be an intricate part of the team this year."

The Rays had not gone to arbitration in their five seasons. Yan also was the first player to reach the hearing phase this offseason.

"We're disappointed with the result," said Alan Nero, Yan's agent. "There's nothing else really to say."

STATION TO STATION: One noticeable change this spring is manager Hal McRae's implementation of a National League station to do drills.

After batting .136 with no successful sacrifice bunts in 18 interleague games last season, Rays pitchers practiced bunting against a pitching machine Friday.

"We're terrified when we play interleague," McRae said. "We're at a big disadvantage. The National League clubs know we can't bunt. We can't move runners when the pitcher's at-bat. We've got to try and address that now."

NOW IN GOAL: That isn't Nikolai Khabibulin crouched in the bullpen.

Catcher John Flaherty is wearing a hockey-style mask this spring after a herniated disc in his neck sidelined him the final month of last season. The 34-year-old had worn the traditional helmet and mask combination.

"It was brought to my attention at the end of last year that maybe the weight distribution of it could be a little more centered to the back of my head, which would take pressure off my neck," Flaherty said. "I'm willing to try anything that will help. (Friday) was the first day I wore it and it felt very comfortable."

VISA PROBLEMS: All but three pitchers participated in the first day of workouts. Reliever Jesus Colome, Enger Veras and Luis De Los Santos were slowed by visa problems in their native Dominican Republic. Colome was expected to arrive Friday evening and join the squad today.

"I'd like to get them in as soon as possible," McRae said. "But it's not urgent."

ODDS AND ENDS: McRae has instituted an on-field dress code of sorts. Players are not allowed to have any jewelry visible and must keep their pant legs pulled up high enough to show 4 inches of stirrup. ... Pitchers Bobby Seay and Jason Standridge along with third baseman Jared Sandberg and Wilmy Caceres agreed to terms on one-year contracts. ... Starting pitcher Joe Kennedy has switched numbers to 17, which he wore in the minor leagues.

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