Shake-up coming for pitching staff

© St. Petersburg Times
published June 24, 2002

DENVER -- The pitching staff is likely to have a different look when the Rays return to the field Tuesday.

Team officials are believed to be considering a series of moves to address problems in the rotation and the bullpen.

Right-hander Ryan Rupe, who has soreness and inflammation in his right knee, appears headed to the 15-day disabled list. The Rays considered having him skip a start and moving up the other members of the rotation but apparently will take a more conservative course. By back-dating the move, Rupe would be eligible to pitch July 5 in Anaheim.

If Rupe goes on the DL, right-hander Jorge Sosa, who was sent to Double-A Orlando on a rehab assignment to work as a starter, may be brought back. Sosa has not allowed an earned run in seven innings after two starts. Jason Standridge, who is 4-0 with a 1.66 ERA in seven starts since being sent down after a one-game stint in May, and 6-3, 2.95 overall, might also be considered.

What is not clear is who will start Tuesday, whether Tanyon Sturtze will be moved up or a replacement will be used.

Setup man Victor Zambrano, the primary culprit in Friday's ninth-inning collapse, could be headed back to Triple A. Zambrano, who has struggled with confidence and location, has allowed 13 runs on 15 hits and 12 walks in 14 1/3 innings in his past nine games.

If Zambrano goes down, Jesus Colome is likely to come back up. Colome, shipped out May 15, is 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 12 games at Durham.

ARMED AND READY?: Greg Vaughn's bruised right shoulder was feeling slightly better Sunday, though he still couldn't raise his arm above his waist.

While the lack of mobility "is a little bit of a red flag" because Vaughn has had previous shoulder problems, trainer Jamie Reed said bruises tend to show significant improvement the second day.

Initial tests ruled out a separation and indicated only a deep bruise, which is being treated with ice. If team orthopedist Koco Eaton doesn't find anything different today, Reed said Vaughn, who was injured crashing into the leftfield wall in Saturday's game, could play, at least as a DH, this week.

If Vaughn has to DH, the Rays likely will play Jason Conti in leftfield and platoon Aubrey Huff, who has been the primary DH, and Jared Sandberg at third.

Conti, who started Sunday for the first time since June 6, said he welcomed the opportunity. "I'll take any break I can to get on the field," he said. "You don't want things like this (Vaughn's injury) to happen, but they do."

Assuming the Rays don't promote another outfielder, Russ Johnson or Felix Escalona will be the emergency reserve.

NO RELIEF: Saturday's game became a 6-5 defeat when Todd Hollandsworth singled in the winning run off Steve Kent in the 11th inning, the Rays' fifth walkoff loss of the season and the third time in their history they had walkoff losses in consecutive games.

But the Rays essentially lost it in the eighth, when Doug Creek failed to hold a two-run lead. He contributed to his own demise, walking the bases loaded, then giving up back-to-back run-scoring singles.

His meltdown came the night after the Rays blew a four-run ninth-inning lead and lost 8-7.

"It's no secret the bullpen's been struggling," Creek said. "You're only as strong as your weakest link. You can't hide out there."

GOOD JOB, WILSON: Wilson Alvarez pitched well for a second outing in a row Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits (three consecutive homers) in six innings. Manager Hal McRae said he will continue to limit Alvarez to 100 pitches to help maintain his consistency.

MISCELLANY: Randy Winn picked up his AL-leading ninth outfield assist. ... The Rays went 3-6 under NL rules. ... In losing the past five games, the Rays allowed 38 runs and 68 hits. ... Ex-Ray Rick White got Sunday's win for one inning of work.