Maddon won't fret over starters' struggles
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO and MARC TOPKIN
Published March 30, 2006
SARASOTA - Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon continues to say everything is fine, as do his starters. It is spring training, after all, and pitchers spend more time working on mechanics than worrying about statistics.
But even Maddon conceded it is tough to completely look past the past three games, in which starters have allowed 24 runs (21 earned), 29 hits and nine walks in 122/3 innings for a 14.92 ERA.
Right-hander Seth McClung , who will be the No. 2 starter, on Wednesday picked up where Casey Fossum and Scott Kazmir left off, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits with three walks in four innings of a 7-6 loss to the Reds at Ed Smith Stadium.
"I'm with you 100 percent," Maddon said, acknowledging the poor results, but added, "It still doesn't bother me. This is spring training. I believe in people getting ready for the season. Good performances in spring don't always equal good performances during the season and vice-versa.
"I'm looking for health and I'm looking that they're getting the concepts down. Are they physically fine? That's what's most important to me."
McClung, as did Kazmir, shrugged off being smacked around in his final spring tuneups.
"I don't think today was a real big negative," McClung said. "Stuff-wise I was pretty good today; fastball good, curveball good, changeup was there."
McClung looked good until Ken Griffey's run-scoring double and Adam Dunn's brutish two-run home run that made the score 3-0 in the third.
"Velocity was good, location was good, but after the home run by Dunn, it just changed a little bit," Maddon said. "I liked a lot of what I saw, but the quality of pitches diminished."
And the scoreboard lit up.
"When the bright lights go on," Maddon said, "I'd like to see them take it up another notch."
COMINGS AND GOINGS: As other teams start to cut down, the Rays may have a chance to bolster their roster - specifically the bullpen - through waiver claims or small trades. Reliever Heath Bell, who is in camp with the Mets, and John Wasdin, who was released by Texas, are among players they may have interest in.
They could also get quickly involved in a bigger deal with the Mets if they were to consider trading Aaron Heilman, who is unhappy about being bumped to the bullpen. The Mets have had interest in Julio Lugo and still have a need for an established second baseman.
The Rays may also be looking to create roster flexibility, though they didn't release any players by Wednesday's deadline to avoid paying their full contracts. One option would be to pass struggling veterans such as reliever Chad Harville and infielder Sean Burroughs through waivers. If not claimed for the $20,000 fee, the players could be outrighted to the minors and taken off the 40-man roster.
GATHRIGHT UPDATE: Centerfielder Joey Gathright missed his second straight game after Monday's fight with Red Sox pitcher Julian Tavarez. Maddon said Gathright sustained a sore neck from Tavarez's sucker punch.
Maddon characterized Tavarez in that situation as "a loose cannon out of control."
Major League Baseball spokesman Pat Courtney said disciplinarian Bob Watson still has not found video of the incident.
Of the possibility of a Gathright suspension, Maddon said, "If you do nothing wrong, why would you get suspended? I would be very disappointed if that happened."
BALDELLI UPDATE: Maddon said he is unsure if centerfielder Rocco Baldelli (left hamstring) will play any of the team's final games. Maddon said Baldelli could play in a minor-league game pending the outcome of today's checkup.
GAME DETAILS: Jonny Gomes hit his team-high fourth home run and Ty Wigginton hit a three-run blast as part of a five-run sixth inning that made the score 7-6. ... Dan Miceli pitched a scoreless inning with three strikeouts.
PRIDIE BACK: Outfielder Jason Pridie, claimed by the Twins in the Rule 5 draft, was returned to the Rays and sent to Triple-A Durham.