By TOM JONES and MARC TOPKIN
Published March 25, 2004
WINTER HAVEN - Paul Abbott has pitched so well this spring that he has turned manager Lou Piniella's four-man rotation into a five-man rotation.
After Abbott threw five innings of shutout, one-hit ball Wednesday, Piniella announced he will go with a five-man rotation to start the season. Originally, his plan was to use Victor Zambrano, Jeremi Gonzalez, Mark Hendrickson and Doug Waechter as his starting four because he did not need a fifth until late April.
But Abbott changed those plans.
"I think we'll let them all pitch and see who is pitching best," Piniella said. "Rather than let Abbott sit all April, I think we're just going to go to a five-man rotation for the month of April and let them all pitch and right now Abbott would be my fifth starter. And you know what? I won't even classify him as a fifth starter. What I'll say is he is one of my five starters."
While Abbott has pitched well, none of the other four starters has dominated, leading to Piniella's switch in plans.
"If everybody in the rotation was throwing the ball lights-out it would be a different story," Piniella said. "But I think it's so close, let them all compete. We've stretched them all out, they're ready to pitch, so let them pitch."
Abbott beat out left-hander Damian Moss for the final spot. Piniella said Moss, for now, will work out of the bullpen as a long or middle reliever. The final decision came after Abbott's performance in the 2-0 victory against the Indians. He allowed no hits through 42/3 innings and struck out two. For Abbott, it was all about pitching well, not pitching for a spot in the rotation.
"I don't think I see myself as being in any spot," Abbott said. "I look at going out there to pitch like I'm able to pitch. It should be something everybody goes out and does: competes, and throw strikes and gets outs whether you're fighting for a fifth spot, the first spot, Triple-A trying to make an impression, whatever. I approach it that way. I don't see myself as a number. I see myself as the guy who should be in a major-league rotation."
After a good spring, that's exactly what he is.
ANOTHER CHANGE IN PLANS: Zambrano and Gonzalez were scheduled to pitch the two games in Japan against the Yankees and then pitch again for the first games against the Yankees in St. Petersburg. Piniella, though, said he wants to give the Yankees a different look and might go with two other starters at Tropicana Field on April 6-7.
HEADING EAST: The Rays settled on taking seven extra players from minor-league camp to Japan to participate in the exhibitions: Pitchers Rob Bell, Dewon Brazelton, Jesus Colome and Travis Harper; catcher Edwards Guzman; and outfielders Joey Gathright and Charles Gipson.
DOWN, NOT OUT: The trip to Japan wasn't much consolation to Brazelton, who was down after hearing he would have to make a trip to Durham when he got back.
"I'm disappointed to be going down like anyone would be, but I'm not disappointed in myself because I've done well, done just about as well as anybody else here," Brazelton said.
"I'm just disappointed that everything I worked for is going to have to wait another little bit. But I'm 23, so it's not the end of the world."
Brazelton, dropped from the majors to Class A last season to rebuild his delivery, showed significant improvement. He was 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in four games and drew praise from Piniella.
GAME DETAILS: The Rays surpassed last spring's victory total by winning their ninth. Tino Martinez singled home a run in the fourth inning and Eduardo Perez homered in the ninth for the second straight day.
SEAY WHAT? Pitcher Bobby Seay, who has been in the Rays organization since 1996 when he signed as a free agent, said he wonders if the past seven years have been worth it after he, essentially, was cut Wednesday. Seay likely will be placed on waivers. If he clears, he said he would accept an assignment at Triple-A Durham, but he was unhappy to get only three innings of work in the spring.
"It's just tough for me," Seay said. "I spent seven years in spring training here and I'm sure that's the most of any other Devil Ray and I'm so accustomed to be here, being a Devil Ray. But it's going to take some soul-searching if I am with another organization. But I'm confident in my ability and I know what I can do and hopefully I'm given that opportunity."
MISCELLANY: Reliever John Halama will start today in the final spring game before the Japan trip. Zambrano and Gonzalez will throw at the minor-league complex. ... Today's game at Progress Energy Park begins at 12:05.
