Rays ace preparing to prove himself again

ST. PETERSBURG - Jeremi Gonzalez made it back to the big leagues last season after a five-year, injury-related absence, developed into the Devil Rays' most consistent starting pitcher and earned a $1.7-million contract.

Now he's ready for the real work to begin.

"I'm just like everyone else, coming in to work hard and win a job," Gonzalez said Wednesday. "I'm going to work harder than last year. I think this is the year to show Jeremi can be all the way back.

"I know I came back last year, but this year ... "

Gonzalez, who went 6-11 with a 3.91 ERA, was one of about 20 Rays going through early workouts at the Naimoli Complex.

Spring training officially opens Sunday, with the first workout for 40 pitchers and catchers at 9:30 a.m. The full squad of 62 will work out together starting Feb. 20.

The Rays are the first of the 30 major-league teams to open camp.

C.C. RIDER: Outfielder Carl Crawford joined the group Wednesday looking extremely fit after spending two months at the famous Athletes' Performance in Arizona run by Mark Verstegen.

Crawford kept his weight at about 220 pounds but is more lean and flexible than before and reduced his body fat to about 6 or 7 percent.

Crawford, who led the American League with 55 steals, said he can't wait to get started.

"This year is the turning point, I can't be half-stepping this year," Crawford said. "I'm more excited about this year than any other year."

TICKET TIME: Individual game tickets will be available today in an exclusive online sale from 8 a.m.-midnight via devilrays.com and ticketmaster.com.

The sale through traditional outlets starts Saturday at 10 a.m. with tickets available at the Tropicana Field box office, the Rays store at Tampa's WestShore Plaza and at Ticketmaster outlets in addition to online locations.

DODGERS TARGET A'S ASSISTANT: Paul DePodesta has emerged as the leading candidate to become the next Dodgers general manager, but new owner Frank McCourt, through a team spokesman, denied an ESPN.com report claiming the A's assistant GM is expected to be hired this weekend.

"The report was speculative and premature," senior vice president of communications Derrick Hall told the Los Angeles Times. "The process is ongoing, and no decision has been made. In fact, Frank is in the process of interviewing more candidates."

Neither DePodesta nor Oakland general manager Billy Beane would comment. McCourt, who returned to Southern California after a four-day trip to Boston, was said to be "disturbed" by the report.

Meanwhile, the highly leveraged $430-million sale of the Dodgers to McCourt, a Boston real estate developer, is scheduled to close today. Owners on Jan.29 unanimously approved the sale from News Corp.

Also, Dodgers right-handed reliever Guillermo Mota avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year, $1,475,000 contract.

EPHEDRA TALKS: Major League Baseball is in discussions with the players' association about the use of ephedra, the herbal weight control supplement the government is officially banning April 12.

Baseball spokesman Rich Levin confirmed there were talks but declined to provide details. MLB bans the use of the amphetamine-like stimulant in its minor leagues, but there is no prohibition at the major-league level.

CUBS: The team will be allowed to increase its night games at Wrigley Field from 18 to 30 per season by 2006 under an ordinance approved unanimously by the Chicago City Council. The limit will increase to 22 this year, 26 in 2005 and 30 in 2006. The plan includes provisions requiring the team to spend more money to address congestion, litter and other game-related problems in the residential neighborhood that surrounds the ballpark, which opened in 1914. ... Right-handed setup man Kyle Farnsworth agreed to a $1.4-million, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

INDIANS: Outfielder Milton Bradley pleaded guilty to a reduced charge for leaving the scene of a traffic stop in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and was ordered to serve three days in jail. Bradley is scheduled to begin his jail sentence Tuesday, a week before he is to report for spring training.

METS: Right-handed reliever Ricky Bottalico agreed to a minor-league contract.

ORIOLES: Left-handed reliever B.J. Ryan agreed on a $1,275,000, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

RANGERS: Outfielder Rusty Greer, who missed last season with assorted injuries, had surgery to remove scar tissue from his left elbow.

OBITUARY: Hub Kittle, pitching coach for the 1982 World Series champion Cardinals, died Tuesday in Yakima, Wash. He was 86. For the past five seasons, Mr. Kittle was special assignment pitching coach for the Mariners.

- Information from Times wires was used in this report.