Young, his job secure, keeps goals realistic

The Rays rookie looks forward to playing a full season.

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Published February 20, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Rays outfielder Delmon Young arrived for his first spring workout Monday at the Raymond A. Naimoli Complex in a much different position than last spring.

Then, Young was fighting for a roster spot in a crowded outfield. Now, he has pretty much been penciled in as the team's starting rightfielder heading into camp.

Young drew headlines last year for the 50-game suspension resulting from a bat-throwing incident while playing at Triple-A Durham, but he finished the season with the Rays after being called up in late August. In 30 games, he hit .317 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 126 major-league at-bats.

"I got to see what it is actually like to play in the major leagues instead of watching," Young said. "You learn how to keep your body in shape, how to make simple game adjustments to go with the opposing scouting reports."

Now Young, who still has rookie eligibility and is many prognosticators' pick to win AL Rookie of the Year, has his own goals.

"I just want to play 150 games," he said. "I want to stay healthy and be out there every game. I'm not really worried about the numbers, just put as many victories on the board and stay competitive all year."

CRAWFORD'S WRIST RESTED: Leftfielder Carl Crawford reported to camp Monday, saying the sore left wrist that hindered him all of last season felt better, but as a precaution he will wear protective sleeves on both wrists this season.

Crawford rested the wrists during the offseason and limited his time in the weight room, a practice he said he plans on continuing throughout the season.

"It feels good, but I think I have the tendency to overwork it sometimes, which will make it get irritated every now and then, but I've learned to kind of work it here and there and not to overdo it," Crawford said.

MORNING STRETCH: About 20 players attended voluntary yoga class Monday morning at 8, the first of six sessions over the next two weeks.

The classes are being led by Dana Edison, director of Boston-based Radius Yoga Conditioning.

Most players were yoga first-timers, including right-handed pitcher Ruddy Lugo, who lasted just 30 minutes through the one-hour session.

"I didn't think that thing would be that hard," Lugo said. "I thought it was going to be easy."

MISCELLANY: Along with Crawford, outfielder Jason Grabowski and first baseman Wes Bankston joined the team Monday. ... The Rays will hold two intrasquad games, Feb. 28 at 9:30 a.m. and March 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the Naimoli Complex.

[Last modified February 20, 2007, 00:06:28]