Navarro's sore hamstring adds to mounting injury concerns

With less than a week until the season opener in New York, the Devil Rays aren't feeling too good.

By MARC TOPKIN
Published March 27, 2007

WINTER HAVEN -With less than a week until the season opener in New York, the Devil Rays aren't feeling too good. Starters CF Rocco Baldelli, LF Carl Crawford and C Dioner Navarro and backup C Josh Paul remained out of the lineup Monday with assorted injuries, and the Rays may not be able to put their starting team on the field together until Friday, if then.

Manager Joe Maddon, however, remained confident all would be ready to face the Yankees.

The most surprising development concerned Navarro, who felt soreness in the left hamstring that had sidelined him for two weeks. Navarro had played twice since returning and reported no problems.

"There's still some soreness, but there's not any pull," Maddon said. "I think it's residual."

Navarro will be out today to be with his 19-month-old son, Dioner Jr., who will have surgery to correct problems with his urethra and remaining kidney.

Maddon plans to play Navarro, who hasn't gone more than five innings, on Wednesday, then again Friday and Saturday in the final exhibition. Expected cold weather in New York could also affect his status.

Navarro's situation makes Paul's status more of a concern. He is still sore after being struck by a foul ball Friday and hoped to hit off a tee Monday. Maddon said he hoped Paul would be well enough to play Wednesday. If either catcher isn't active, Shawn Riggans would be.

"I think Navi's is more concerning than J.P.'s, but I believe both of them are going to be fine," Maddon said. "That's what I'm kind of hearing and seeing."

Baldelli's status is the hardest to predict. He hasn't played since leaving the March 20 game with tightness in his right hamstring, and he may test it today in a minor-league game. Maddon has pushed back his return several days and is now hoping for Thursday. Baldelli was sidelined into June when a left hamstring problem popped up last spring.

Crawford, who wanted to rest a tight left groin, was to be examined by a doctor Monday as a precaution, and Maddon expects him to play today.

CANTU'S SHOT: Maddon praised Jorge Cantu for hitting an eighth-inning pinch homer, a role he may be used more in as B.J. Upton gets an increasing share of playing time at second. But Cantu, who was also used off the bench Sunday, didn't want to talk much about the situation, initially declining comment.

"I'm proving myself, I'm not proving anything to no one," he said. "You can ask them what they've come up with. I'm doing this for me and my family and the people back home."

SLOPPY PLAY: The Rays made two errors and a couple other misplays. Maddon was most concerned about a popup that glanced off 2B Upton's glove in front of CF Elijah Dukes and RF Delmon Young. "It was kind of out there in the Bermuda Triangle," Maddon said. "We need to catch that ball, and that's something we need to talk about. When you get that kind of hang time, with our speed that ball cannot fall."

CUTS COMING: Team officials will hold a long meeting after today's game to determine at least most of the moves to reduce the roster from 37 to 25, and to decide between RHP Edwin Jackson and LHP J.P. Howell for the fifth starter's spot.

MISCELLANY: A 4-3 loss snapped the Rays' six-game unbeaten streak. ... Likely No. 3 starter James Shields threw 95 pitches in seven innings in what he called "a big stepping stone." He was most pleased that he felt strong at the end and that his curveball and cut fastball were sharp.

[Last modified March 26, 2007, 23:32:46]