ST. PETERSBURG - Victor Zambrano, the early favorite to be the Devil Rays' opening-day starter, arrived in camp a day late.
But his fastball was on time.
Zambrano, who missed Sunday's first day of workouts because of visa problems, showed zip on his fastball in a brief session Monday.
"You can see he pitched a little winter ball," Rays manager Lou Piniella said. "He was cutting it loose pretty good for the first day."
Zambrano did pitch a little winter ball in his native Venezuela. Maybe a little too little, in his opinion. The Rays asked Zambrano not to pitch in the winter league after Jan. 15. Unfortunately for Zambrano, that meant missing the Caribbean World Series.
Asked if he was bothered by that, Zambrano said he didn't know how to answer. Eventually, he softened his response.
"The thing is, I pitched for that team for so many years and they made the playoffs and I wanted to pitch in the finals," Zambrano said. "But I respect this organization and what they said about not pitching after Jan. 15. Everything is done and I'm here for spring training."
Zambrano led the Rays with 12 victories last season but struggled with control. He led the American League in walks, hit batters and wild pitches. Yet Piniella liked Zambrano's stuff enough to pencil him in as the opening-day starter.
"Right now I'm not thinking about any decisions that they make," Zambrano said. "I'm just thinking about getting ready for the season. I hope I do my job and the team can win games. ... I think any spot in the rotation is important for the team."
A SECOND CHANCE: Last year, he helped coach baseball at Blake High in Tampa. He hasn't thrown a major-league pitch since 2001. This season, he might be pitching for the Rays.
Right-hander Alan Mills, who has 474 major-league appearances, threw for the Rays last week and, pending the results of a physical, will be in camp today. The Rays agreed to terms with Mills on a minor-league contract with a major-league camp invitation.
"He threw and showed a real good arm," said Cam Bonifay, director of player personnel and scouting. "He could be a good addition to our bullpen."
Mills, 37, pitched in the majors from 1990-2001, mostly for the Orioles. He grew up in Lakeland and makes his home in Dunedin.
"He threw well enough to warrant an opportunity there," Piniella said. "He is another kid who has had success throwing out of the bullpen."
A kid? Not really, but Mills is another veteran reliever in camp to go along with Mike Williams, Trever Miller and John Halama.
"What it looks like here to me just from the first couple of days is that we're not going to have to rush any of our young kids," Piniella said.
EARLY TO CAMP: Normally, the Rays still would be resting up for camp right now, but this year's camp opened five days early because of their trip to Japan next month. Not that anybody has noticed.
"I haven't heard anybody mention, "Boy, we're here five days early,' " general manager Chuck LaMar said. "The fans are ready, the players are ready, they're in good shape. The staff is ready. I think the anticipation that camp is a little longer this year is gone in my opinion."
B GAMES: The Rays have added two B games against the Tigers to the spring training schedule. They will be played March 5 in Lakeland and March 14 at the Naimoli Complex. Game times are 11 a.m.
MISCELLANY: Pitcher Gerardo Garcia remains in his native Mexico because of visa problems. The Rays hope he arrives in camp today. ... Several more position players showed up and worked out, including Aubrey Huff, Damian Rolls, Rocco Baldelli, Jared Sandberg and Joey Gathright.
