Sosa to get chance to start on rehab

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays did not take relief pitcher Jorge Sosa off the disabled list Monday, but they are expected to send the rookie to Double-A Orlando by the end of the week on a rehabilitation assignment.

Sosa was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 31, retroactive to May 26, with a strained right shoulder.

Manager Hal McRae said recently he envisions Sosa becoming a starter. That apparently is what the right-hander will do for the O-Rays while the major-league club is playing on the West Coast this week and next.

"It's not a bad idea," Sosa said. "I'll have a chance to pitch and will be more prepared by facing more hitters."

An outfielder in the Mariners farm system for six seasons, Sosa was given a shot to pitch out of the bullpen last season.

Selected by the Brewers in the Rule 5 draft, the Rays claimed Sosa off waivers March 18. He has a 4.91 ERA in 14 games and had allowed four earned runs in 31/3 innings before being placed on the DL.

"I feel more comfortable," Sosa said. "I've learned a lot because I've thrown a lot and I've learned by watching the veteran. I'm still learning how to pitch and want to learn more and more even if I'm not pitching."

GET WELL WISHES: Shot twice while sitting in a cab Friday in Charleston, S.C., Rays pitcher Nick Bierbrodt could be moved from the intensive care unit at the Medical University of South Carolina today.

Fans can sign an oversized get well card at Gate 1 or send an e-mailed message to Bierbrodt at getwellnick@aol.com.

SWEET REVENGE: Joe Kennedy may be from Southern California, but there's no question which team he grew up rooting for.

"I was a big Padres fan," said Kennedy, who grew up near San Diego. "They were my favorite team growing up."

Pressed to recall his proudest moment as a Padres fan, the left-hander immediately thought of San Diego's final series of the 1996 season.

The Padres trailed the Dodgers by two games entering a three-game series Sept. 27-29 at Dodger Stadium but wound up sweeping Los Angeles and winning the National League West title.

"That was awesome," Kennedy said.

ANYTHING TO HELP: Though he will make his second straight start at third base tonight, utilityman Russ Johnson has taken fly balls in leftfield.

"I played it a little bit in winter ball one time," he said. "You never know. Whatever it takes. I'm available, that's for sure."

Johnson won the starting third base job during the spring, then lost it after coming back from a foot injury early in the season. He has started 23 games.

GETTING RECOGNIZED: Centerfielder Randy Winn was among seven players considered for the American League Player of the Week award for games June 3-9.

Winn batted .481 with 2 homers and 6 RBIs and tied for the league lead with 4 stolen bases in 7 games.

MINOR MATTERS: Outfielder Carl Crawford, who's batting .336 at Triple-A Durham, dislocated a finger on his right hand while stealing his second base of the game against Columbus.

The Rays signed their 11th-round pick, right-handed pitcher Adam Moreno, and now have signed eight of their 50 selections. Moreno will report to extended spring camp at the Naimoli Complex.

ODDS AND ENDS: Alex Walsh, 8, and sister Katie, 6, threw out the first pitch. The New Port Richey siblings saved their uncle from drowning last month and were featured on Good Morning America. ... Johnson will speak to more than 100 campers at the Kenly Recreation Center at 10 a.m. today in Tampa. ... Fans can make a pledge to CaP CURE, the association for the cure of cancer of the prostate, for home runs hit during today's game. Call 1-800-547-CURE to make a pledge. Pledges start at 25 cents.