Brazelton to start tonight at Double A

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published June 21, 2005

NEW YORK - Time to get back to work. That's how Dewon Brazelton characterized his assignment Monday toDouble-A Montgomery.

The Devil Rays' opening-day starter, who was put on the restricted list May 16 after he did not report to Triple-A Durham, is scheduled to start tonight.

"I'm really excited about it," Brazelton said by phone before boarding a plane in Tampa. "One thing I do know, whether I do good or bad, I'm pitching. I'm a pitcher. That's what I do."

Brazelton, 25, was demoted May 11 with a 1-7 record and a 6.43 ERA. But he did not report in the allotted 72 hours and was put on the restricted list, which curtailed his salary.

He reported to the Naimoli complex early this month, but has declined to discuss why he did not report and how he spent his time, though in a statement he spoke of a "personal matter."

The episode cost Brazelton $6,142 per day off his $1.124-million salary, or around $215,000.

"It's going to be good to get him back," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "We need pitching depth desperately up here. If we get Dewon straightened out, it gives us some competitive pitching depth."

LaMar said the reports on Brazelton's workouts have been positive.

"Pitchingwise he's doing fine," LaMar said. "From a baseball standpoint, hopefully you see him refreshed."

"I'm ready," Brazelton said. "Everybody is talking about how ready I am."

UPTON ON HOLD: What many saw as B.J. Upton 's inevitable promotion from Durham to the big leagues apparently is off the fast track. LaMar said Cam Bonifay , Rays director of player development, saw the shortstop play last week and, "Honestly, he's got to continue to progress."

LaMar said Upton's attitude is good, "But right now he may not be quite along as we thought he would be at this time last year."

Upton is batting .293 with five home runs and 32 RBIs in 71 games. But he has struck out 65 times in 276 at-bats and made 27 errors.

"Whether B.J. gets called up immediately or any time during the summer, he's going to dictate that," LaMar said.

THE MAN: As for rightfielder Delmon Young , who hit two home runs - including a grand slam - Sunday for Montgomery, LaMar said a promotion to Durham will happen "sometime in the near future."

Young leads the Southern League with 16 home runs and 59 RBIs and is second with 87 hits and a .581 slugging percentage and fifth with a .335 average.

"The Southern League may demand we move him to Triple A," LaMar joked.

TRADE TALK: LaMar said most inquiries concern rightfielder Aubrey Huff and closer Danys Baez . But, the GM said, "I'm under no direction from ownership that I have to trade them whatsoever. That's not even a factor."

LaMar said starting pitching will be the priority at the trade deadline. He also is looking for a young third baseman and a strong left-handed bat, but said he is not necessarily looking to part with two of his stars.

"We do not have to trade them," he said. "It's not going to be a payroll trade because we already have them budgeted for next year. ... It would have to be an offer that knocks our socks off."

LOST IN NEW YORK: Outfielder Damon Hollins , second baseman Nick Green and DH Jonny Gomes tried to use the subway to get from the Rays' Manhattan hotel to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. But they missed their D train stop and needed a cab to take them 40 or so blocks to the stadium.

"We're going to blame it on Greenie," Hollins said. "He was supposed to be our navigational system."

MISCELLANY: Tampa Bay had a season-high nine walks. ... The Rays are 2-1 at Yankee Stadium, the only venue this season where they have a winning record. ... Right-hander Carlos Hines was promoted from Montgomery to Durham. ... Catcher Toby Hall 's fourth-inning single broke a 0-for-16 streak. ... Gomes and Carl Crawford have six-game hitting streaks.

[Last modified June 21, 2005, 02:30:30]