Rays infielder Johnson stays home

ST. PETERSBURG -- Reserve infielder Russ Johnson was placed on the restricted list Thursday after failing to report.

Johnson, 29, returned to his Louisiana home Saturday for what the Rays called personal reasons. It is unknown when he will return.

By placing Johnson, who was acquired May 27, 2000, in a trade with the Astros, on the restricted list, the Rays can activate him any time. If he were placed on the disabled list, the other option, Johnson would have had to miss at least 15 days.

General manager Chuck LaMar said he hasn't talked with Johnson but said Johnson has had contact with the team since his departure.

Johnson is hitting .215 in 39 games with one home run and 11 RBIs. He was named the starting third baseman at the beginning of spring training but was injured before the season.

His departure came during a trip to Anaheim one day after the Rays' clubhouse was closed to media for almost 1 1/2 hours after a night game.

DON'S HERE: Union leader Don Fehr met with the Rays for about 90 minutes, laying out the union's negotiating strategy with the owners and the chances of a strike during the season.

Fehr's presence the day after the Rays were named by several sources as one of two teams in dire financial trouble was called a coincidence by Rays player representative John Flaherty.

"We had some discussions and we relayed what our feelings are as a club, and that's what Don is trying to do," Flaherty said. "He's trying to educate us as to where we are in the negotiating process and get our feelings so he can go back to the table and get this thing hammered out."

Flaherty said the players are viewing a work stoppage as a last resort but said history suggests a strike, or threat of one, tends to give both sides a sense of urgency. A possible strike date would be on or around Sept. 11, a fact Flaherty said the players' association has given much thought.

"I was involved in (the 1994 strike) and the fans were a main concern from the get-go. But I think this time around there's an overwhelming concern on our part," Flaherty said. "We saw in 1994 and 1995 that it took a couple years to come back. I think this year is a lot different. I know on the players side we realize that; I'm hoping that on the ownership side they realize the same thing and hopefully cooler heads can prevail."

RYAN'S RETURN: Ryan Rupe was reinstated from the disabled list, assuming Johnson's roster spot.

Rupe was placed on the disabled list June 20 with right knee tendinitis. He is scheduled to start Monday against Oakland.

Rupe is 5-9 with a 5.54 ERA and has two complete games.

Jorge Sosa, who filled Rupe's spot in the starting rotation, will move back to the bullpen as a long reliever.

HURTIN' HAMMY: Josh Hamilton, the Rays' No. 1 draft pick in 1999, suffered a subluxation (a dislocation that pops back into place on its own) of the left shoulder Wednesday and is listed as day to day for Class A Bakersfield.

Hamilton was a late scratch, but because of an obscure rule he was forced to bat at least once because he was slated to DH. In his at-bat Hamilton stood with the bat on his shoulder and struck out.

ALL-STAR MUSINGS: For Randy Winn, it was more than a just an All-Star Game. It was an All-Star experience.

Winn replaced Ichiro Suzuki in rightfield and recorded the first double, stolen base and run by a Ray in an All-Star Game. He also struck out against Robb Nen with the go-ahead run on third to end the eighth.

"It's an All-Star Game and I was facing Robb Nen," Winn said. "I was trying to get a hit and he was trying to get me out. It was awesome. Not just the game but the whole weekend."

SIGN 'EM UP: The Rays signed left-handed pitcher Brandon Mann, their 27th-round draft pick, and outfielder Coltyn Simmons, a 33rd-round choice. Both were assigned to Princeton.

-- MIKE READLING