Alvarez surrounded by questions again

ST. PETERSBURG -- It may be a while before Wilson Alvarez is back on the mound.

Alvarez reported tenderness in his left elbow on Monday, the day after an abysmal performance against Seattle, and is likely to be examined today by orthopedic team physician Koko Eaton.

Given Alvarez's history of arm problems and his poor back-to-back outings, it seems likely he will end up on the disabled list.

"It's going to be a day-to-day situation before we can make a decision about Wilson Alvarez going on the DL," general manager Chuck LaMar said.

Alvarez was last seen Sunday walking off the mound to a chorus of boos after allowing five runs in 1 2/3 innings. Having come back this season after missing the past two with arm and shoulder injuries, Alvarez was clearly discouraged, telling at least one teammate he was considering retiring.

Alvarez has made similar comments before and such action would seem unlikely because he is owed approximately $3-million in salary for the rest of this season. Plus, the Rays will pay him a $350,000 buyout at the end of the season rather than pick up a 2003 option that was added to his original five-year, $35-million contract.

The option year, at a salary said to be for an amount similar to the $8-million he gets this season, was added when Alvarez agreed to defer about $3-million in salary last season and this one.

It seems equally unlikely the Rays will release Alvarez because of a potential strike. If Alvarez is released, the Rays have to give him all money owed. But if the players strike, with Aug.12 the latest rumored date, Alvarez would not be paid for the time they are out.

If Alvarez ends up on the disabled list, Jorge Sosa is likely to take his place in the rotation and a reliever will be called up from Triple A.

SHORT SEASON: It could be another abbreviated season for outfield prospect Josh Hamilton.

The Rays' No. 1 draft pick in 1999, Hamilton will visit medical director James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., in the coming days to have his injured left rotator cuff examined.

"I would hate to speculate what it is right now," said Cam Bonifay, director of player personnel. "It's a situation where his shoulder was bothering him so we wanted to send him to a specialist. Hopefully the news won't be bad news."

Baseball America reported that Hamilton will be out the rest of the season. The 21-year-old has played the outfield in eight of 56 games for Class A Bakersfield and was batting .303 with nine homers and 44 RBIs.

Entering this season, Hamilton had been limited to 195 minor-league game in three seasons because of injuries.

BANK ON IT: Rays officials said last week the club would have no problems meeting payroll Monday and players were paid as usual before the game.

"Everything was normal as we said it would be," said John Higgins, senior vice president of administration.

SWINGING AGAIN: Outfielder Greg Vaughn swung a bat for the first time since going on the disabled list June25 with a bruised right shoulder.

"I hit off the tee and didn't feel any pain," Vaughn said. "So that's good."

Vaughn was injured crashing into a wall June 22 at Colorado and said he doesn't have a target return date.

WELL-RESTED: Nearly three weeks since he last pitched in a game, rookie reliever Steve Kent came in cold when starter Ryan Rupe was injured in the third inning.

"I knew I wasn't going to not pitch the rest of the year, although it felt like it," Kent said. "I just wanted to go out and do what I know I could do."

The left-hander pitched 3 2/3 innings and allowed one run on three hits. He struck out three and walked one.

"That kid came in and, no excuses, he went right after them and did a great job," catcher John Flaherty said. "I think that showed a lot of maturity."

-- KEVIN KELLY, MARC TOPKIN