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By KEVIN KELLY
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 24, 2001
ST. PETERSBURG -- Just when it looked like Wilson Alvarez would return next month, the pitcher has had another setback with his surgically repaired left shoulder.
Alvarez, who had rotator cuff surgery in May 2000, experienced stiffness in the shoulder after his latest start with Triple-A Durham on Aug. 14.
Alvarez, who skipped his next scheduled rehab start with Durham, was to be examined by Rays team doctors Thursday evening. Head trainer Jamie Reed said Alvarez could pitch next week if all goes well.
"They want me to try it one more time," Alvarez said. "But if I don't feel right in the next couple of days we're going to have to shut it down for the rest of the year."
Alvarez hasn't pitched in the majors since going 9-9 with the Rays in 1999.
Next season is the last of his five-year, $35-million contract. .
"They said it (stiffness) was going to happen sometimes from the surgery," Alvarez said. "I'm just doing what they say."
BACK AT FIRST: The Rays activated first baseman Steve Cox from the 15-day disabled list and reassigned third baseman Aubrey Huff to Triple-A Durham.
Huff will remain with the Bulls for at least 10 days, meaning he likely will rejoin the Rays on Sept. 3.
"I'm going to try and finish well and get some momentum going into next season," said Cox, who took over at first when Fred McGriff was traded to Chicago on July 27, only to strain his back Aug. 6. "It was real frustrating because I finally got a chance playing and this happened. Things happen and now I'm back here so things have worked all right."
Manager Hal McRae optioned Huff so he could work on his fielding and so McRae could get an extended look at Jared Sandberg. Huff had a team-leading 19 errors this season, 15 while playing at third base.
"I'm going to relax a little bit and maybe I can find something that hopefully I can bring back up here when we get called back up," Huff said. "I'm not upset about it. I think the way I played this year I don't deserve to be here. I believe in the decision and I support it."
BELIEVE IT OR NOT: By getting base hits in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings Wednesday, outfielder Jason Tyner became the first player to record hits in four straight innings in more than 24 years.
The last player to do it before Tyner? McRae did it against the Mariners on April 24, 1977.
"I remember the win but I don't remember the record," McRae said. CLOSING THOUGHTS: One thing McRae has figured out is that he sleeps better when closer Esteban Yan pitches well.
Yan, who's blown eight saves this season and allowed six homers to the past 39 batters he faced, struck out the side in the ninth inning Wednesday.
"He is the guy and I hope he pitches well enough so that his opportunities don't run out," McRae said. "We need him to pitch well. We are a better team, a better bullpen, when he does pitch well. ... We're better off if he's closing. And that's the way I think it will work best, and I'm going to try and hang in there as long as I can with him."
ODDS AND ENDS: Thursday's crowd of 29,018 was the third largest of the season ... Thursday's loss ended the Rays' six-game home winning streak. They'd won nine of their past 12 at home. ... The three-night total for the Cal Ripken autographed bats and balls auctioned was $14,850.