Rays tales

By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 2, 2007

X-Rays file

Former Rays are everywhere it seems, and one recently departed one is in the middle of the NL Central race.

Now pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers: Seth McClung.

Traded five weeks ago for Grant Balfour and called up two weeks ago, McClung has made a good initial impression as a potential late-inning reliever.

"We heard all the negativity about his personality and lack of focus and all that stuff, but we think it's worth a chance and a gamble," Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash said. "If he can harness that and harness his stuff and we can get him pointed in the right direction, he could be a very valuable piece to us."

McClung, 26, sent to Triple-A Durham in late spring, said he appreciated what the Rays did for him but - especially given what he said were conflicting plans and instructions from a "split camp" - welcomed the chance to start anew.

"I don't think Tampa really knew what to do with me," the right-hander said. "I feel like coming over to these guys just let me do what I knew how to do. And it's translated into throwing a lot of strikes and a lot of success. I'm comfortable here. I think it's a good fit. I think I could find a home here."

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

[Last modified September 1, 2007, 19:24:33]