Zambrano will help in any way

ST. PETERSBURG - Starter Victor Zambrano will spend the weekend working out of the bullpen to take some pressure off the pitching staff, which includes two making the transition from bullpen to starter.

"We've been short, stretching out two guys, (Jorge) Sosa and (Seth) McClung," manager Lou Piniella said. So he's going to be some protection for us out there."

Zambrano is scheduled to start Tuesday night against the Twins as part of the regular rotation, but Piniella said he's prepared to adjust the schedule if necessary. His options include pitching Sosa on Tuesday, which is his regular day. Because the Rays are off Monday, Piniella said it allows flexibility.

"If we have to we can skip (Zambrano's) start on Tuesday and put him back to fill in the rotation or we can bring up somebody to pitch if we need to use him," Piniella said. "I don't know what we're going to do. But right now, we need another pitcher in the bullpen."

Pitching coach Chris Bosio said Zambrano is receptive to whatever helps the team.

"Victor has accepted helping out the staff when we've got some guys going from the bullpen to the starting rotation," Bosio said. "I think every one of the guys in the clubhouse would do the same thing in the situation that we're in. ... Sometimes guys have their ways set, but I think it speaks for the character of the individual and the team concept that we're trying to strive for here. Victor never hesitated, he just said, "Hey whatever you need, I'll do.' And it's much-appreciated."

Zambrano is 0-2 with a 6.91 ERA, but Piniella said he pitched much better. Zambrano said his goal is to improve every outing.

DE LOS SANTOS OUT: Rays pitcher Luis De Los Santos became a free agent on Friday. The right-hander was outrighted to Durham, but declined to accept the assignment. In 2002, the 25-year-old De Los Santos was with the Rays from July 18-Aug. 4. He went 0-3 in three starts and had an 11.57 ERA.

ELITE COMPANY: With two hits Friday night, Rocco Baldelli became only the second rookie since 1969 to have 35 hits after 23 games. Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki did it in 2001. Baldelli has hit in eight straight since his 13-game hit streak ended April 17.

"When things seem to be going well I try not to overanalyze and try to find out what I'm doing, just like when they go bad I try not to get too down or start panicking," Baldelli said. "While they are good you just try to ride it out as long as you can and hope they keep coming because you know at some point they are going to stop coming. So you just take them while you can."

INJURY UPDATE: First baseman Travis Lee is expected to return to the lineup next week. Lee has been on the disabled list since April 19 with a right oblique strain. "He's ready to go," Piniella said. "He swung today and he never felt it. He'll get some work tomorrow down in the complex and he'll be in the lineup on Tuesday."

RAYS BITS: Baldelli's first-inning single scored leadoff hitter Terry Shumpert, ending a 16-inning stretch in which the Rays failed to score against the Orioles. ... Lee and John Rocker will play in today's Rays extended spring game in Tampa against the Yankees. Rocker is expected to start and pitch two innings. ... Lance Carter has a win (three) or save (four) in seven of Tampa Bay's nine wins. ... The Rays have played in a major-league-leading 11 one-run games. ... Tampa Bay has gone six games without a home run, one shy of the club record.