Simulated game No.7 for Saunders

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 25, 2000

DETROIT -- Tony Saunders is tired of faking it.

Saunders is scheduled to pitch his seventh -- and he hopes final -- simulated game this afternoon as he continues his rehabilitation from last season's horrific broken left arm.

Saunders has, by all accounts, made extraordinary progress, and to say he is eager to advance to the next stage -- pitching in minor-league games -- would be an understatement.

But manager Larry Rothschild, mindful that other pitchers have been unable to make it back from similar injuries, has insisted on a cautious approach.

As a result, Saunders will simulate throwing five innings, facing a handful of teammates, then walk to the dugout to wait while his team "bats."

"What else is there to do? I ain't got no choice," Saunders said. "It's like when your wife says you have to do something. You ain't got no choice."

Saunders hopes today will be his last simulated game. "Better be," he said. "I've already got the record for simulated wins. What am I, 10-0? I'm going for No. 11."

If all goes well, his next outing likely would be for one of the Rays' lower-level farm teams, Charleston, S.C.,; Wappingers Falls, N.Y.; or St. Petersburg.

"I want to see how he throws and determine the schedule after that, which I've done every time out," Rothschild said.

ON TRACK: Depending on the trade winds, pitcher Steve Trachsel could make his final start for the Rays tonight. Trachsel may be the club's most tradeable player, and with the deadline for non-waiver deals at 4 p.m. Monday, more than a few teams are expected to have scouts at Comerica Park. Trachsel said it will be business as usual. "I've been doing this too long," he said. ... There also have been rumors involving pitcher Roberto Hernandez, pitcher Jim Mecir, designated hitter Jose Canseco and a few others, but Rothschild said that should not cause much of a distraction. "We've got veteran players who've been through this enough," he said. "Still, there's a human side to it, and they talk about it and all that. It's the same as every year right now."

HANDY MAN: Vinny Castilla said his sore right hand was better, making his return to the lineup likely in the next few days. But with two stints on the disabled list and the latest extended absence after being hit by a pitch Thursday, it's understandable why he is avoiding ladders and black cats. "For a guy who's never been hurt in my career, right off the bat a pulled rib-cage muscle, then my back and now my hand," Castilla said. "It's been a rough year. It hasn't been a good year for me. I've just got to keep battling and keep working hard."

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS: There was no announcement from Major League Baseball regarding a suspension for Rothschild stemming from his July 18 altercation with umpire Laz Diaz. "I don't expect anything out of the ordinary, so we'll see," Rothschild said.

MILE MARKER 250: Hernandez worked a perfect ninth for his 250th save, nearly 15 months after getting No. 200, also against the Tigers. "It's a milestone, something you strive for," Hernandez said.

"It's kind of odd to get 200 against them last year (May 1) and No. 250 this year."

Hernandez is 18th on the all-time list and eighth among active pitchers, one behind San Diego's Trevor Hoffman on both lists. Hernandez has converted 10 straight saves, and 12 of his last 13 appearances have been scoreless.

RAYS BITS: Canseco is one strikeout from tying Dave Kingman for fifth place all time at 1,816. ... With three singles, Greg Vaughn is 6-for-10 against Hideo Nomo. He is hitting .313 since coming off the disabled list. ... Miguel Cairo's streak of consecutive steals ended at nine when he was caught in the fourth. He is 20-for-24 overall. ... Albie Lopez is 4-0 against Detroit. ... Felix Martinez has reached base in 18 of 19 games. ... With a home run during this series, McGriff can tie Mark McGwire with homers in 37 major-league stadiums.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

Headlines

Americans Lose in 1st Round of Davis Cup

---