Rays/MLB

Jackson gone, as planned

By MARC TOPKIN
Published April 26, 2006

NEW YORK - Devil Rays officials say they feel more strongly than ever that Edwin Jackson will soon become a successful major-league starter.

But they remain convinced he is not ready yet.

Despite Jackson's impressive work Saturday, and despite the less-than-impressive performances thus far by starters Seth McClung and Doug Waechter, the Rays on Tuesday sent him back to Triple A.

The move was made to clear a roster spot for left-hander Mark Hendrickson, who was activated off the DL and will start Thursday. But an argument could have been made, or a conversation been held, to send down one of the other two and keep Jackson based on his solid showing.

"We know what we thought, but we think even more now," manager Joe Maddon said. "It was just a tremendous performance on his part. His day is coming. It's getting closer. ... He's getting real close to being here for a long time."

Jackson said he expected the news and his focus will be to keep pitching at Triple-A Durham the way he did in Texas.

"It's kind of hard to have a legitimate reason to be disappointed when the game plan from the beginning was to come up and make one start," Jackson said. "Whether I was going to stay or not I don't think was based on how I performed in this game. Maybe I could have went out and thrown a no-hitter and still gone down to Triple A. It's just the situation why I was here in the first place.

"As far as I was concerned, it was going to be one start, and if I ended up staying it would have been a bonus."

ANOTHER CHANCE: Even though McClung has had a rough beginning - a 10.90 ERA and 45 baserunners allowed in 171/3 innings - Maddon said he is not pitching tonight for a chance to make another start.

"Honestly, I'm still not there yet. We're not there," Maddon said. "It's not like it's a life or death situation for him. I want him to go out there and keep throwing. He and (pitching coach Mike Butcher) did some great work in Texas the other day. Seth is doing all the right things. He's working his butt off. I want to be patient. There's no threat. There's no ultimatums. None of that stuff. Just go out and get better. Get better your next start; that's what I'm looking for."

McClung, who said he has battled a cold for more than a week, is focusing on doing better.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well and to help the team," he said. "Those are things I can't control; what they decide to do with me, whatever my circumstances are. I just want to help the team."

ROCCO ALMOST READY: Rocco Baldelli took a big step toward rejoining the Rays in about 10 days by stepping on the field Tuesday to play in an extended spring training game.

Baldelli, sidelined since the end of spring training with a left hamstring strain, played three innings in centerfield (making one throw) and got three plate appearances (going 0-for-2 with a walk and a run).

"Everything was great," trainer Ron Porterfield said.

Baldelli will play in extended spring games again today, Friday and Saturday, then join Double-A Montgomery on Sunday. He could be activated around May 5, when the Rays go to Oakland.

"Hopefully by the time we go on the road again, he might be ready for us," Maddon said.

Julio Lugo (abdominal strain) and Aubrey Huff (left knee sprain) were also feeling better, Maddon said.

(NOT-SO) MINOR MATTERS: Double-A Montgomery third baseman Wes Bankston, one of the Rays' top hitting prospects, is sidelined after sustaining an oblique strain Monday. Based on other players who have had a similar injury, Bankston could be out at least a month. ... Shortstop B.J. Upton was moved to the leadoff spot at Triple-A Durham. ... Visalia shortstop Reid Brignac leads the advanced Class-A California League with 25 RBIs.

MISCELLANY: Mike Mussina improved to 14-5 against Tampa Bay. ... The Rays are 1-6 on the nine-game road trip. ... Carl Crawford left the team after Sunday's game in Texas to attend services for paternal grandmother Lettie Burns and is expected back tonight. ... The Yankees had lost eight straight night games. ... Curt Schilling, who always seems to have something to say about the Rays, is scheduled to pitch Sunday at Tropicana Field. ... Ex-Ray John Flaherty, now an analyst for the Yankees' TV network, visited the clubhouse pregame.

[Last modified April 26, 2006, 01:22:18]