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With all challengers gone, Creek is only LHP remaining in bullpen

By MARC TOPKIN and JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 30, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays opened spring training with one experienced left-handed reliever on their roster, Doug Creek, and nine other candidates competing for his job.

Spring training is about to end, and Creek is the only one still here.

The Rays reassigned Trevor Enders and Jeff Wallace to their minor-league camp Thursday morning, effectively ending the competition and apparently deciding to open the season with just one left-handed pitcher on their active roster.

"I've basically had one left-hander (in the bullpen) most of the time here," manager Larry Rothschild said. "You have to remember, this is how we're starting out. We might change things still."

Creek, 32, won the job despite unimpressive spring numbers: He was 0-1 with a 7.59 ERA, allowed 17 baserunners in 10 2/3 innings and gave up four home runs.

"I thought I threw pretty well this spring," Creek said. "I had the one bad outing (a grand slam on March 24) and gave up a couple of solo home runs."

More than likely, the Rays made the decision based on what Creek did last season, when he was promoted from Triple A on May 25 and pitched in 45 games, going 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA.

"I thought I pitched pretty well for these guys last year and they kind of knew what they could expect of me," Creek said. "They hadn't seen me go through a spring yet, and spring training is probably not my strong suit. I'm glad they had enough confidence and faith in me to keep running me out there and believe in me, and know that I'm going to get ready."

Said Rothschild: "He did a nice job for us last year, but it's always an ongoing thing. But, yes, I have confidence he can do the job."

ROSTER REDUX, PART I: By reassigning Enders and Wallace, optioning Jason Standridge to Triple-A Durham and optioning Jace Brewer to Class A Charleston, the Rays reduced their spring roster to 35. With Wilson Alvarez and Juan Guzman headed to the disabled list, they have to trim eight more players by midnight Saturday.

Wallace had the best shot of the four to make the team but was done in by inconsistency. "He needs to get consistent innings. He needs to get consistent work. He needs to make sure his release point is more consistent," Rothschild said. "He has a chance to get left-handed hitters out; they're not very comfortable up there against him."

Said Wallace: "All I can do is go down there and get it right. It's not going to do any good to mope around."

ROSTER REDUX, PART II: To make room on the 40-man roster for pitcher Ariel Prieto, the Rays designated outfielder Alex Sanchez for assignment. Sanchez, 24, has racked up impressive base-stealing totals in the minors (280 in 4 1/2 seasons) but has not developed offensively as the Rays had hoped. He has been surpassed by several other prospects, including Josh Hamilton and Carl Crawford, and would be out of options next season. The Rays have 10 days to trade, release or ask waivers on Sanchez.

HERE COMES THE JUDD: Mike Judd was sitting in the Dodgers bullpen in Vero Beach on Wednesday when he was told he was traded to Tampa Bay. Thursday morning, he was sitting in the Rays clubhouse trying to get acclimated to his new team. "I don't know who's who or what's what," Judd said. "I just want to keep doing what I've been doing and not put too much pressure on myself."

RAIN PAIN: The Rays were rained out for the third time when Thursday's game at Dunedin was canceled. The rain cost Travis Phelps a chance to start, and denied the Rays their first chance to see Prieto and Judd pitch. Opening night starter Albie Lopez's tuneup in a Triple-A game also was washed out, though the Rays said he would throw a simulated game in the indoor batting cages. ... Alvarez threw 90 pitches during batting practice and two innings of a simulated game before the rain. "He's continuing to make progress," Rothschild said. ... Ryan Rupe is scheduled to throw in a minor-league game Sunday.

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