Rocco one shy of rookie hit mark

Rocco Baldelli has two games to catch the rookie record through April.

ST. PETERSBURG - Rocco Baldelli had a lot on his mind in late April 2001. Such as whether he had played well enough to escape extended spring training in his first full professional season.

He may not even have heard of Ichiro Suzuki, a rookie outfielder with the Seattle Mariners.

The Rays rookie centerfielder, 21, knows all about the 2001 rookie of the year and MVP now. With a single Sunday, Baldelli is one hit from tying Ichiro's record 39 by a rookie through April. Boston's Nomar Garciaparra had 38 in 1997.

Baldelli has stalked Ichiro's mark by hitting safely in 23 of 24 games this season, but he isn't interested in discussing statistics.

"I don't care," he said. "That's like the furthest thing I would be caring about right now. I don't worry about numbers or get razzed up about that type of stuff."

The Rays have two more games in April, at Minnesota.

SEAY YA: Reliever Bobby Seay, unable to throw because of pain behind his left throwing shoulder, was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Thursday and is scheduled for a MRI today.

"Something's just not right," said the rookie, 24. "I've never had anything like this before. Hopefully, they can rule some things out with the MRI."

Seay, who has a 4.05 ERA in 62/3 innings, is third on the Rays with nine appearances. He first felt discomfort Thursday while warming up in the bullpen and was able to throw only about 10 pitches Sunday, he said.

First baseman Travis Lee will take his roster spot when he comes off the 15-day DL on Tuesday. Lee, disabled retroactive to April 14 with a strained right oblique, played in an extended spring game Saturday and proclaimed himself healthy.

Manager Lou Piniella described Seay's situation as "not good."

The club will make another move Saturday, likely promoting 2001 first-round draft pick Dewon Brazelton from Triple-A Durham to pitch at Detroit.

OUCH: Shortstop Rey Ordonez said his left big toe hurts, a lot. Constantly. After losing the nail during spring training, he has gotten by with heavy tape but has been noticeably hobbled lately.

"When you are running and stop ... it's like, man, I'm killing myself," he said.

The thought of an ill-placed foul ball is too much for him to consider.

"Oh, man, I don't want to talk about that," he said.

CLOSER STILL: Lance Carter, who earned his fifth save in a 10-7 win over Baltimore on Saturday, is the official closer, but Piniella said he would be comfortable rotating Travis Harper and Victor Zambrano (who recorded his first win Saturday) in the role.

"I think Zambrano has closer stuff," Piniella said. "Right now Carter is the closer, but if we're fortunate enough to get on a little streak, I can't pitch the same guy every night, and it's good to have options."

A future option could be John Rocker, who struck out four in two extended spring training innings against Yankee farmhands Saturday. Piniella said team reports were positive. Rocker expects to report to Double-A Orlando this week.

"Let's hope he gets tired of riding those buses quick," Piniella said.

SIR SIDNEY: Orioles starting pitcher Sidney Ponson, a native of Aruba, will be knighted in the Order of the Dutch Royal House by Queen Beatrice of the Netherlands on Tuesday. Aruba is a dependency of the Netherlands.

RAYS BITS: Catcher Toby Hall and rightfielder George Lombard committed errors that led to runs. The Rays had commited two errors over the previous 13 games, best in the majors. ... Second baseman Marlon Anderson's 11-game hit streak was snapped in an 0-for-3 day. ... Piniella used the same lineup twice for the first time.