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© St. Petersburg Times, published February 28, 2002
ST. PETERSBURG -- Two innings and 31 pitches.
The last time Wilson Alvarez faced major-league hitters, tightness in his throwing shoulder cut short a scheduled three-inning spring performance against the Royals at Baseball City.
That was March 9, 2000.
Almost two years later, after surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff in May 2000 and months of rehabilitation, Alvarez will start Saturday's spring training game against the Braves. He is scheduled to pitch at least two innings.
Atlanta counters with four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux.
"I was surprised," Alvarez said. "Me pitching in the first game (against a major-league club this spring)? These two years and all this work and everything is worth it.
"I appreciate all these trainers for what they've done for me. Now it's my turn to pay them back. And the only way to pay them back is doing the job. ... That's what I'm going to try to do."
Alvarez, who said he is pain free but still lacks velocity, will be relieved by Travis Harper, Jesus Colome, Steve Kent and Doug Creek.
"It will be nice to see him out there," manager Hal McRae said. "There's no pressure on him to pitch lights out. He'll gradually get his work in, strengthen his arm. Keep the ball is the main thing. He's not going to get graded. He's just going to take the ball the next time and go out."
Tanyon Sturtze is scheduled to start Friday's exhibition against the University of Tampa and will be followed by Paul Wilson, Esteban Yan, Stevenson Agosto and Tom Martin.
Left-hander Joe Kennedy will start against the Braves on Sunday in Lake Buena Vista and be relieved by Delvin James, Bobby Seay, Victor Zambrano and Travis Phelps. Tom Glavine is scheduled to start for Atlanta.
70-DEGREE DAY: With cold weather forecast and spring training games a day away, the team will move today's workout from the Ray Naimoli training complex to Tropicana Field.
The 2 p.m. practice is closed to the public.
"We hope to get a sweat going (today), get the kinks out and get the blood flowing," McRae said. "I think we'll get more done over there than we could get done here, especially if the temperatures are in the 30s."
The practice also gives players a chance to work out on their home field, a luxury most other teams don't have.
"It's a good idea for the veteran players to get back ... before the season starts," McRae said.
RITE OF SPRING: Outfielder Greg Vaughn did not hit Wednesday and will receive a cortisone shot in his right hand today as treatment for a ganglion cyst.
Trainer Jamie Reed said Vaughn, who developed the cyst last spring as well, should be cleared to play by Friday.
BACK TO RECOVERY: After arriving home Tuesday morning, Josh Hamilton continued his rehabilitation for his aching back.
The outfield prospect went through eight hours of testing Monday in California. Back specialist Robert Watkins found nothing different than Rays specialist Tom Tolli or Arizona specialist Volker Sonntag had in previous exams.
"I'm just glad I don't need surgery," he said. "That's not what you want when you're 20 years old."
Watkins recommended Hamilton continue the five-level rehabilitation program he was on before the trip. The Rays and Hamilton are targeting minor-league spring training next month for his return.
"Hopefully I'll be ready to go," Hamilton said.
ODDS AND ENDS: Former Rays pitcher Jim Morris and actor Dennis Quaid, who plays Morris in the soon-to-be-released movie The Rookie, will throw out the first pitches before Saturday's game against the Braves. ... Tickets for Friday's game and other exhibitions are available at Tropicana Field, the team store in WestShore Plaza and through Ticketmaster. The Florida Power Park box office opens at 10 a.m. Friday. ... The Rays will supply wood bats for Tampa players to use in Friday's exhibition.