Sports: Guzman: 'I'm ready for a game'

Guzman: 'I'm ready for a game'

By MIKE READLING and MARC TOPKIN

ST. PETERSBURG -- Juan Guzman felt so good during his simulated game Wednesday that he pitched an extra inning. Next step: minor-league action.

Guzman, returning from rotator cuff surgery last year, said his shoulder felt "a lot better" than the last time he threw a simulated game and asked for the extra inning because it was feeling so much better. He used all of his pitches and displayed good command on the mound.

"I'm ready for a game, that's the way I feel right now," Guzman said.

Rays manager Larry Rothschild said Guzman would pitch in a minor-league game next week, possibly Monday.

Matt White pitched the other half of the simulated game, working on his control among other things. White bounced a few pitches and threw one over catcher Pat Borders' head to the backstop, but said he generally was pleased with his outing.

"A little wild, but I'm making progress," White said. "I feel good about what I'm doing. At the start of spring my routine got off a little bit and it took me a while to kick back into gear. Now things are rolling a lot better."

White has not pitched in an exhibition game. He said he should be close to his first appearance.

"I'm concentrating on getting my work in and working on one pitch at a time," White said. "I'm trying to have tunnel vision and concentrate on what I have to do to get better."

FELIX STILL OUT: Shortstop Felix Martinez missed his third consecutive game with a sore hamstring. Martinez, who has been working out on the stationary bike and trying to increase his workload, said he will be out for another two or three days.

One thing Martinez's absence has done is allowed Rothschild to get a longer look at Mike Caruso and Andy Sheets, who are hoping to make the team as utility infielders. Ozzie Guillen also has gotten more playing time at shortstop.

CATCH ME, IF YOU . . .: It was a great day for catcher Mike DiFelice and an equally bad day for anyone trying to run on him.

DiFelice threw out Detroit's Jermaine Clark and Damion Easley trying to steal second and hit a home run.

ONE MORE LOSS: The Rays lost 7-5 to Detroit mostly because of a pair of poor performances from two pitchers hoping to make an impression. The Rays are 5-7 on the spring.

Bobby Seay, considered to have an outside shot at making the rotation, gave up three runs on three hits in one inning and took the loss. Sean Bergman gave up two runs on four hits in his one-inning stint.

"Everything's been up," Rothschild said of Seay. "You've got to be able to make pitches with a couple pitches and if you don't, you have to be really able to locate your fastball and that's where he's having problems."

Esteban Yan looked strong (1K, 0H, 1IP) in his second straight outing.

Aubrey Huff made his spring debut at first base as a replacement, something Rothschild downplayed, saying it was just a way to get him more at-bats.

"He played first during winter ball and we're just trying to get him experience," Rothschild said.