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Wilson remains on short leash in comeback

By JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 17, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- He begins spring training as healthy as he has been in years. He is coming off his first major-league season since 1996.

Still, the Rays plan to be very protective of pitcher Paul Wilson.

That means limiting workouts and watching his pitch counts when games begin. That means being attuned to anything that potentially could harm Wilson's surgically repaired elbow and shoulder.

"I can understand why they still want to be conservative with me. I'm only a year-and-a-half away from surgery," Wilson said. "I'm not going to be mad at them for trying to protect me. That would be foolish on my part.

"I'm always wanting to go a little harder. (Pitching coach Bill Fischer) is yelling at me to get off the mound and I try telling him, "One more, one more.' So it's good they're watching out for me."

In seven starts at the end of last season, the Rays never allowed Wilson to throw more than 100 pitches. He probably will get beyond that this season, but only gradually.

"They're going to be careful with me again, but being careful this year is a hell of a lot different than the careful they had to be last year," Wilson said.

SPRING BREAKS: Spring training officially begins for the Rays this morning with pitchers and catchers reporting for physicals with their first official workout following at 10 a.m.

Most of the 39 pitchers and catchers due in camp have been working out informally or have at least checked in early.

Right-hander Jim Pittsley, who signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, will not report today. Pittsley, who pitched with the Royals and Brewers last season, is rehabilitating a knee injury and instead will report when minor-league spring training begins in March.

Without Pittsley, the Rays have 70 players invited to camp.

OUT OF ACTION: Left-hander Bobby Seay, on crutches after spraining his right ankle Wednesday, said he hopes to be on the mound by next week.

"It feels a lot better today than it did yesterday, so if it keeps improving like that, I should be able to throw (next week)," Seay said. "A lot of the swelling has already gone down."

Seay said he slipped on a staircase in his home.

"I wish I had a better story," he said.

TOUGH ASSIGNMENT: Shortstop Mike Caruso, signed this week to a minor-league deal, is not likely to challenge Felix Martinez for the starting job. Martinez hit .214 last season, but was outstanding defensively. Caruso, a member of the Topps All-Rookie team in 1998 while with the White Sox, is a better offensive player but is suspect defensively.

"For him to take over shortstop, in my mind, he's going to have to show he's a pretty prolific hitter," manager Larry Rothschild said.

REHAB SCHEDULE: Rothschild said pitchers Wilson Alvarez and Juan Guzman are on schedule in their recovery from shoulder surgery last summer, but that does not mean they will be ready to pitch opening day.

"I don't think you'll see Wilson in our opening series, but I would expect if he stays on the rehab, things are going to be happening quicker," Rothschild said.

0987$temp$ $STPT$

ID: + Paper: +

Date: 2/17/01 Page: 9C +

Section: SPORTS Byline: JULIUS WHIGHAM II+

Headline: Wegerle sets mark, leads Cowboys to final four

Notes: +

STUART -- After seeing the score of Stuart Martin County's regional semifinal win over Bloomingdale on Tuesday, Gaither coach Adrian Bush admitted he was a little apprehensive about having to face Martin County in Friday night's Class 4A, Region 2 championship game

But after watching his Cowboys jump out to a big lead early, Bush was able to breathe a lot easier.

The defending state champions clinched a return trip to the state final four, beating Martin County 5-0 at the Tiger Stadium.

"I almost shed at tear, I'm so happy for these guys," Bush said.

Senior midfielder Bryce Wegerle led the way with three goals and two assists, setting a school record for goals in a season with 24.

"He's the best player that I've seen and that's as far as me playing and coaching," Bush said.

Martin County coach Juan Kalb, whose squad beat Bloomingdale 5-1 on Tuesday, gave no argument.

Coming into Friday's game, Martin County's defense had allowed just one goal in its past five games.

But it became evident early on that Martin County was going to have a tough time containing Wegerle.

"We knew we had to deny him scoring opportunities," Kalb said.

"We didn't do a good job of reacting to what he was doing."

"We tried to create space to isolate me and the forwards to the left side and it worked to our advantage," Wegerle said.

"I thought it was to my advantage that we got a lot of one-on-one (chances.)"

Gaither jumped on top quickly when junior Travis Bourguignon converted a corner kick from Wegerle in the eighth minute to give the Cowboys a 1-0 lead.

Gaither would add two more scores, both by Wegerle, in the 16th and 25th minutes to take a 3-0 halftime advantage.

Martin County, meanwhile was limited in its scoring chances, as Gaither goalkeeper Jared Swindle also set a school record, this one for shutouts, as he improved to 11 for the season.

Gaither added goals by Wegerle in the 48th minute and by Norris Hartzog in the 61st minute to round out the scoring.

The Cowboys will be at Pepin-Rood Stadium on Thursday to play either Coral Reef or Miami Sunset in the state semifinals.

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