Colome to take his time getting back into action

By KEVIN KELLY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 15, 2003

ST. PETERSBURG -- Relief pitcher Jesus Colome, involved in a car accident last week in the Dominican Republic in which three women died, was expected to arrive here Friday afternoon.

He missed the first day of workouts, and though he received only scrapes and bruises in the crash he will have more checkups before being cleared to participate in drills.

"We still want to give him a bone scan and make sure his MRI did not show anything significant," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "He's shaken mentally and banged up a little physically, stiff and sore. Once he gets here I won't be surprised over the next day or two if we handle the medical end of things and then get him back on the field.

"He'll be back here and able to work out, as he can."

Three others, pitcher Gerardo Garcia and catchers Pete LaForest and Angel Pena, were not at camp. They are expected to arrive this weekend, but LaForest is having visa problems in Canada and could be delayed.

[Times photo: Michael Rondou] Tampa Bay Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella holds a Valentine's Day gift from a Japanese news crew Friday at the Naimoli Complex in St. Petersburg. The Japanese journalists joked with the new Rays skipper that he is the most popular American manager in Japan and that they will follow him this year instead of outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who plays for Piniella's former team, the Seattle Mariners.

CAMP LOU: The Lou Piniella era began just before 10 a.m., when he walked out of the clubhouse and onto the field with bench coach John McLaren and Double-A Orlando pitching coach Dick Bosman.

"It's good to get started," Piniella said. "You can talk about it all you want, but it's good to see it.

"I've been used to the teal and blue for 10 years (in Seattle). It's a little strange putting on green, especially a green belt."

Piniella addressed the players, reminding them of the number of available positions and how a good work ethic can go a long way.

"He walked into the clubhouse like it was already his, which it is," pitcher Joe Kennedy said. "He wants to win, and he's ready to go."

NEW LIFESTYLE: For the first time in nearly 40 years, Hal McRae wasn't in a uniform when spring training began. Looking rested and trimmer, the former Rays manager arrived at camp this year in his new role as special assistant to the general manager. "You do (miss it) because it's something you've always done and you're no longer doing it," said McRae, who plans to be at camp every day after full-squad workouts begin Wednesday. "But at least I'm here. I'm not in uniform, but I'm here."

[Times photo: Michael Rondou] Former Rays manager Hal McRae and current manager Lou Piniella meet on the Naimoli complex practice field for the first day of spring training.

NEW ADDITIONS: Throwing another pitcher into the mix, the Rays signed veteran reliever Wayne Gomes, 30, to a minor-league contract with an invitation to camp. The Phillies' first-round pick in the 1993 draft, Gomes pitched in 20 games for the Red Sox last season. He has a 30-23 career record with a 4.60 ERA and 29 saves with Boston, San Francisco and Philadelphia. Gomes joins the team Sunday and will wear No. 61. The Rays also named Syd Thrift, the Orioles vice president of baseball operations until December, a major-league consultant. Thrift has worked in the Pirates, Royals, A's, Yankees and Cubs organizations.

ODDS AND ENDS: Pitcher Luis De Los Santos agreed to terms on a one-year contract. Of the 39 players on the 40-man roster, 23 are under contract. ... With LaForest and Pena absent, minor-leaguers Iker Franco and Matt Diaz are filling in.

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