TOKYO - Having gone halfway around the world and back in less than a week, the Devil Rays are hoping to combat the effects of jet lag by easing their way back into a normal routine.
The players have today off, then will have a light workout Friday, an exhibition against Toronto on Saturday, a scrimmage against Triple-A Durham on Sunday and another workout Monday before resuming the season Tuesday at Tropicana Field.
"Jet lag is a concern, but one of the best ways to get over that concern is to stay active," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "We've got to get in the rhythm of playing."
Trainer Ken Crenshaw gave the players the same advice for the 121/2-hour trip home as he did on the way to Japan: drink lots of water and stay active on the plane, and try to adjust to local time as quickly as possible.
"They say it's tougher going back, but we have six days before opening day again, so everybody should be reacclimated by then," manager Lou Piniella said.
No matter how you look at it, the Rays and Yankees are in a unique situation, leaving spring training early to play two regular-season games, then returning to spring training to play exhibition games before resuming the regular season. But there should be no significant disadvantage as they are in the same situation.
The Rays players aren't sure what the next few days will be like. Then again, most of them haven't been sure what day it is.
"It's going to be tough because we're just starting to get adjusted over here," reliever Lance Carter said. "But I'm looking forward to getting home."
PITCHING IN: Plans are not firm, but Piniella said he is likely to start Victor Zambrano in Tuesday's home opener against the Yankees and is leaning toward using veteran Paul Abbott on Wednesday.
THE ENVOYS: Aubrey Huff, Rocco Baldelli, Carl Crawford, Carter, Tino Martinez, Jose Cruz and top team officials presented ambassador Howard Baker with a Rays jersey during a joint team reception at the U.S. Embassy.
The lunch celebrated the opening series games and the 150th anniversary of U.S. relations with Japan.
LaMar said the teams were well-received.
"The ambassador really made us feel that the trip was special for the people of Japan and for relations between the countries," LaMar said.
Commissioner Bud Selig said: "We may not share a common language, but we share a love of baseball. When I was here with the Mets and Cubs four years ago, I didn't think it could get any better, but it has."
POWER BAND: Toby Hall didn't know what to say when the Japanese fan called him over the other day and gave him a small rubber bracelet. Now after a hot start, he wants to say thank you for the ion healing bracelet.
"He said it would bring me luck and lots of power and to wear it when I play," Hall said.
After going 3-for-4 with three RBIs in the opener, Hall was a believer.
"I'll wear it all year," he said.
SOUVENIRS: The Rays will bring home six bases from the games (18 were used) for archive and charitable purposes. One base will be used in Tuesday's game and then auctioned off to benefit the Rays of Hope Foundation.
MISCELLANY: About 100 fans from St. Petersburg's sister city of Takamatsu attended Tuesday's game. ... The Rays are 24-37-1 in games played outside the United States. ... John Coughlin and Joe Delahunty won the random drawing Wednesday morning at the Tropicana Field Brew Pub and will get to watch Wednesday's game against the Yankees with Don Zimmer in a Rays suite. The event drew 1,874 fans to watch the Rays-Yankees game from Tokyo, which started at 5 a.m.
