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Stable job brings smile to Sturtze

ST. PETERSBURG -- He left spring training last season content with a spot on the roster but less than thrilled about being miscast as a relief pitcher.

Tanyon Sturtze returns today as the Rays' most valuable player and their No. 1 starter.

"It's comforting knowing that you don't have to go out in spring training and necessarily win a job," Sturtze said.

The 31-year-old, who Thursday agreed to terms on a one-year contract believed to be worth $295,000, is scheduled to pitch two innings in today's exhibition against the University of Tampa at Florida Power Park.

"You know those kids are going to come out swinging," Sturtze said. "That's a guarantee."

Whether the Spartans can touch Sturtze is anything but guaranteed.

The right-hander moved into the rotation in early May and wound up leading the staff in starts (27) and innings pitched (1951/3). The Rays won 15 of the 27 games he started, and three of his 11 victories came against the Yankees.

"When I got into the rotation last year, it was like a new beginning," said Sturtze, who was 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA as a reliever. "I got all that relieving stuff out of my system and I knew that I was going to get the ball every five days.

"I just wanted to do the best I could. Things worked out good for me last year where I threw some good ballgames."

In addition to building arm strength and stamina, Sturtze will work on re-establishing his changeup during the spring. He also throws a split-finger fastball.

"The command of his fastball ... is the thing that has me excited," manager Hal McRae said. "I know if he comes up with any breaking pitch at all he's going to win more games."

THE GANG OF SIX: With Sturtze and Damian Rolls agreeing to terms, the Rays have six unsigned players: Steve Cox, Felix Martinez, Bobby Smith, Aubrey Huff, Jason Tyner and Nick Bierbrodt. By midnight tonight, they'll be signed one way or another.

If the players, who have virtually no negotiating leverage because they have less than three years' major-league service, don't agree to a deal, the team will renew their contracts and eliminate an incentive bonus package that can be worth an additional $20,000.

"This organization does not want to renew anyone, but we have a salary structure in place for (players with less than three years' service), and if there is no agreement we will renew them," general manager Chuck LaMar said.

The players will end up with a salary between the $200,000 minimum and $300,000.

"We've had discussions with their representatives throughout the course of the week, and those will continue up to our deadline," assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said.

NEXT UP: The Rays have opened each spring against a college team, and today the Division II University of Tampa gets its turn. Junior Joey Simon, a Chamberlain High product, will start for the 3-10 Spartans. ... Rays managing general partner Vince Naimoli served on the UT board of trustees for 15 years. ... The Rays will provide the Spartans with wood bats for the game. "It's mainly for our benefit," McRae said. "If our pitchers make good pitches, you want the results that are desired, not some double down the line when our pitcher thinks he jammed the guy."

PITCHING IN: Following Sturtze will be Paul Wilson, Esteban Yan, Stevenson Agosto and Tom Martin. Yan, the Rays closer, will be used in the middle innings early in spring so he can face major-league regulars before they leave the games.

UNDER THE BIG TOP: With a frigid forecast, the Rays made arrangements, and their ground crew did Herculean work, to move Thursday's practice inside Tropicana Field. The weather turned out to be mild, but McRae said they didn't dare change plans again. "We couldn't," he said. "You can't turn the Titanic on a dime."

MISCELLANY: Greg Vaughn didn't participate in the workout after receiving a cortisone shot in his right hand as treatment for a ganglion cyst. He also has a sore calf. ... The Rays don't appear on the Fox or ESPN national broadcast schedules. ... Tickets are available for Saturday's major-league exhibition opener against Atlanta.

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