Bullpen includes five newcomers

By Eduardo A. Encina
Published March 31, 2007

SARASOTA - Following a set of cuts Friday that left RHPs Seth McClung and Chad Orvella off the 25-man roster, the Devil Rays bullpen has taken shape.

And it will be markedly different than last season's unit that ranked 27th in the majors with a 4.98 ERA. Three newcomers - RHPs Gary Glover, Al Reyes and Jae Kuk Ryu - join a pair of rookies who received late-season call-ups last season, RHPs Brian Stokes and Juan Salas. Returning are RHPs Shawn Camp and Ruddy Lugo.

Manager Joe Maddon insisted the staff is not a finished product and he wants the "open tryouts" he instilled this spring to carry over into the season.

"We've talked about the competitive spirit of what we're doing now, and the guys who are here are going to have a bunch of guys in Triple A who are going to be pushing them," Maddon said. "We don't know how this is all going to wash out over time. Nobody is locked into a particular spot for a period of time because they made the team right now."

But the Rays insist these seven are the best relievers as the season opens.

"Everyone down there ought to be proud," pitching coach Jim Hickey said. "They all won jobs."

Salas, 28, a converted shortstop who was last year's organization minor-league pitcher of the year, was a combined 4-1 with 17 saves and 0.71 ERA at Double A and Triple A. He had a 2.25 ERA in eight innings this spring.

With a closer yet to emerge, Maddon said Salas could pitch at the end of games. Other possibilities are Reyes, Camp and Stokes.

Ryu, also a rookie, was a late-offseason acquisition from the Cubs and had a 3.86 ERA in 112/3 spring innings. Maddon likes his personality, makeup and strike-throwing ability.

Still, there is no left-hander among the bunch and the three rookies - Ryu, Stokes and Salas - have less than 100 days of major-league service combined.

"We're very happy with the seven guys we have," Hickey said. "In a perfect world, you'd probably like to have a left-hander or two, but it's not that unusual. Some of the right-handers we have can get left-handers out."

NAVARRO PROGRESSING: C Dioner Navarro, coming back from a left hamstring strain sustained March 8, caught five innings and was 0-for-3 at the plate with two strikeouts and a sharp lineout to shortstop.

Barring a setback, Maddon said Navarro will play another five innings in today's exhibition finale. If he comes out of that well, Maddon is confident Navarro will be ready for opening day.

"Navi came out well," Maddon said. "He probably won't play all three games in New York. We've already looked at the matchups and stuff like that. But if we can get him (today) and two out of three in New York and then move on from there, it would be nice."

MISCELLANY: Maddon used 3B Akinori Iwamura in the leadoff spot to give him more at-bats. Iwamura responded, going 2-for-3. ... Jorge Cantu didn't start at second base for his sixth straight game, pinch-hitting for Reyes in the sixth and popping up. ... Utility infielder Brendan Harris played first base for the first time this spring. He has played shortstop, third base, second base and leftfield. ... First-base coach George Hendrick doesn't expect to be back from knee surgery until at least the second week of the regular season.

Eduardo A. Encina can be reached at eencina@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 31, 2007, 07:05:13]