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Yan off DL today to reclaim closer role

[Times photo: Michael Rondou] Esteban Yan had two solid minor-league rehabilitation outings.

By KEVIN KELLY and MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 12, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- On the 15-day disabled list since June 24 with inflammation in his right shoulder, Esteban Yan will resume his role as closer today.

Travis Phelps, Victor Zambrano, Jesus Colome and left-hander Doug Creek had been filling the role by committee.

Yan's activation will require a roster move.

"We'll make the move (this) afternoon at the ballpark," manager Hal McRae said during the team's optional workout Wednesday at Tropicana Field.

Yan has eight saves in 12 chances to go with three losses this season.

After loading the bases, allowing the tying run to score on a wild pitch and giving up a three-run double to Boston's Manny Ramirez in a 7-4 loss June 21, Yan was pulled in the ninth inning after feeling a pinch in his shoulder.

He looked much better in two rehabilitation appearances with Double-A Orlando.

Yan threw 40 pitches (34 strikes) in three innings, allowed three hits and one run, struck out four and walked none.

BREAKING A SWEAT: More than a dozen Rays attended the optional workout, running, throwing and hitting around workers who were setting up a stage for this weekend's Ozzfest 2001.

The workout was scheduled at Florida Power Park, but rain forced it indoors.

"We wanted them to break a sweat to try and avoid being sluggish (tonight)," McRae said. "It can't be all new tomorrow night because you've got to try and win the ballgame. When you take three days off and you come and you play a ballgame ... you've gotten out of your routine. We're trying to stay in the flow of sweating and playing ball.

"The sweat is the most important thing."

Players who weren't at the workout will be required to attend one at 2 p.m. at Olympic Stadium.

THE TO-DO LIST: As the Rays open the second half of their schedule tonight, McRae has some specific goals for the final 12 weeks.

"Win more games than I did the first half, that's the first goal," McRae said.

"The second is to try and finalize among the players that are here what we have going forward, who we're going to keep and where they're going to play, and what are the needs. What holes are we going to fill. And we have a few of those."

DOUBLE-SWITCHING: Tonight is the first of six straight games in National League parks, and McRae admits he still is feeling his way. The three games he managed at Florida last month were his first under NL rules, and he knows he has more to learn.

"I have some experience, but I don't think it's all learned in three games," McRae said. "I think you've got to do it to know it. I managed three games, so there's things I haven't seen. It takes time to formulate a definite strategy as to how you'd like to do that."

ODDS AND ENDS: McRae said he wanted to break up Ryan Rupe and Bryan Rekar in the starting rotation but chose to flip-flop Albie Lopez and Tanyon Sturtze instead. Lopez is scheduled to pitch Friday. ... Wilson Alvarez, recovering from May 2000 shoulder surgery, threw 35 pitches in the bullpen.

Tonight: rays at Expos, 7:05 p.m.

WHERE: Olympic Stadium, Montreal.

TV/RADIO: Ch. 32; 970 WFLA-AM, 760 WLCC-AM (Spanish).

The pitchers

TROY MATTES: It took the 6-foot-8 right-hander 71/2 years to get to the majors, and the Sarasota resident, called up from Triple A in mid June, is trying to make the best of it. Mattes is 2-0 with a 2.74 ERA in four starts, though he has gotten more than eight runs per game

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