News | Rays

Nonpromotion lights fire under McClung

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published November 16, 2004

---

LARGO - The way Seth McClung figured it, he was out of sight and, perhaps, out of mind.

On second thought, the big right-hander said, that is judging the Devil Rays too harshly.

"I don't think you can actually forget about a guy," he said. "They knew I was down there. I think they just made a decision early on not to bring me up."

Bottom line: McClung said he can live with the decision not to promote him from Triple-A Durham after the Bulls' season ended Sept.12. He had, after all, gotten his first consistent work since Tommy John surgery repaired his pitching elbow in June 2003. And the Rays calculated rest would be best.

But that doesn't mean he has to like it.

"Not getting called up to the big leagues, for me, was a setback emotionally," McClung said Monday before playing in the Abilities Foundation Celebrity Golf Challenge at the Bayou Club.

"I felt like I did everything they asked me to. I felt like I pitched well, too. But that's their decision. I don't agree with it, but I can't do anything about it except show up for camp ready to play."

McClung, 23, did not speak with malice. And it's tough to believe the amiable 6-foot-6, 255-pounder will hold a grudge. But there is no doubt the Lewisburg, W.Va., native has found motivation.

"You come back from an injury and you definitely have something to prove," McClung said. "I can come to spring training and show them I'm ready. That's my mind-set going into camp. Every day I have to show them I deserve to be in the big leagues."

McClung made the jump from Double-A Orlando to the Rays in 2003 and was 4-1 with a 5.35 ERA in 12 games, including five starts. He injured his elbow in late May and had surgery in which a ligament from his left leg was used in the repair.

McClung said he "battled with (the situation) emotionally to keep my composure."

He said there were times he thought about not being able to play. He wondered if he would have to "change as a person."

But the dread was short-lived, and McClung said when it occasionally returned he kept it at bay by "running or something and tying to focus on what was the goal.

"I really just focus on what I'm here to do," he added. "Okay, what can I do to to put myself in a better position?' It's really a mountain you have to climb. The sooner you start climbing that mountain, the sooner you will get to the top."

For McClung, who was 3-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 361/3 innings last season in stints with Durham, Double-A Montgomery and Class A Charleston, that is a spot in the Rays' starting rotation.

Manager Lou Piniella said he believes McClung might be better as a setup man.

"He fits nicely into our bullpen situation," Piniella said. "Big, strong kid, we expect him to come to camp and compete for a job. And actually we feel his chances are pretty darn good."

Perhaps, better than if he was called up in September?

"The recommendations from just about everybody was that the rest would do him more good than just coming up and pitching a few weeks," Piniella said. "It was done for his own good as much as anybody else. We needed some pitching but we didn't want to take any chances."

Now there is an opportunity.

"The question is, "Can he do what he did?"' McClung said. "I'm here to tell you, I can do better."

Baldelli returns home

Rays centerfielder Rocco Baldelli returned home to Cumberland, R.I., on Saturday, eight days after surgery at the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo., repaired the ACL in his left knee.

"Everything is good," Baldelli's father, Dan, said. "We're in good shape. It's just a matter of time."

Baldelli is expected to be out six to nine months.

EXPOS LAWSUIT: Arbitrators ruled against the Montreal Expos' former limited partners in their case against former controlling owner Jeffrey Loria, clearing Major League Baseball to move the franchise to Washington.

The 14 limited partners accused Loria, Marlins president David Samson, commissioner Bud Selig and others of racketeering, mail fraud and wire fraud in an attempt to eliminate the Expos.

CARDINALS: Closer Jason Isringhausen had surgery on his left hip, and the right-hander should be ready for spring training.

METS: Left-hander Al Leiter became a free agent when the team declined his $10.2-million option.

-- Information from Times wires was used in this report.

[Last modified November 16, 2004, 00:40:25]

[an error occurred while processing this directive]