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McRae sees hope for Rekar

By KEVIN KELLY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 6, 2002

PORT CHARLOTTE -- Hal McRae believes the potential remains.

Whether anyone can unearth it in Bryan Rekar, the former Rays starter expected to pitch in relief for the Royals today at Florida Power Park, remains to be seen.

"It might be a treasure hunt, but there's something there," McRae said. "You know where it is, but you don't know if you can get it."

The Rays released Rekar in December after the right-hander went 3-13 with a 5.89 ERA and before his salary likely would have ballooned to around $1.75-million through arbitration.

With the Royals -- he signed a minor-league deal -- Rekar is trying to secure a spot in the rotation. He will precede former Rays closer Roberto Hernandez in the pitching order.

"I think he's going to do fine," McRae said. "I thought Rekar had a chance to be a decent pitcher. I wouldn't mind having him back. There's something there, but can you get it? I don't know."

BUILDING STAMINA: Closer Esteban Yan pitched the final two innings and allowed one hit. He walked one and struck out one.

McRae said Yan will pitch more innings than in years past in preparation for the occasional two-inning stint during the season.

"The only time we'd do it is when we need to," he said. "There are times when you need to not use another pitcher or you're at home and you've played eight and you're looking for someone to hold them for two (innings) and hope you can win the game."

SECOND SHOWING: Hearing the cheers and feeling his arm come to life again thrilled Wilson Alvarez on Saturday.

Now comes a another challenge.

The left-hander, who's vying for the No. 5 starting spot in the Rays rotation, makes his second start of the spring today. The emotion and atmosphere will be different from Saturday's game against the Braves, when he pitched to major-league hitters for the first time in nearly two years.

"It's going to be more relaxed," Alvarez said, "but still I've got to go out there and do it again. You want to work harder and do it again." Alvarez, who missed the past two seasons after having surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff in May 2000, pitched two innings in his first outing. Of his 29 pitches, 19 went for strikes, and his fastballs consistently registered in the low 90s.

"It's going to be a good test," he said. "The first game I was fresh. The second game I've got to go out there and do it again."

FIRST TIME: Sooner or later, Jorge Cantu figured, a ground ball would bounce his way.

Starting at shortstop for the first time this spring, Cantu dived to field a grounder by Rangers leadoff hitter Rusty Greer in the first inning Tuesday. His one-hop throw to first was in time.

"I just wanted to make some type of play somehow," said Cantu, who went 0-for-2. "That's why I'm here. ... Might as well get it out of the way that first batter."

ODDS AND ENDS: Utilityman Bobby Smith, slowed by a right ankle sprain, is expected to play the next two days and start against the Rangers on Friday. ... Catcher John Flaherty (groin) and outfielder Greg Vaughn (hand, calf) are expected to play against the Yankees on Thursday. ... Minor-league pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report Thursday and position players Monday. ... Pitcher Dewon Brazelton will speak to Wildwood Little League in St. Petersburg at 6 p.m. Thursday on Oliver Field in Campbell Park. ... Infielder Jace Brewer, who subbed for Cantu in the fifth inning, made his first career appearance in a spring game. ... Six Rangers pitchers combined to throw 93 pitches.

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