Dohmann gets final spot in bullpen

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

ST. PETERSBURG – The Rays begin trimming the roster Friday shortly after the team returned from its morning workout at Tropicana Field.

Several players made the long walk to manager Joe Maddon’s office, but the Rays would make only one cut official – relief pitcher Grant Balfour, who will be designated for assignment Saturday.

Balfour, the 30-year-old right-hander acquired from Milwaukee last July in a trade for Seth McClung, lost the battle for the last spot in the bullpen to Scott Dohmann, despite having better numbers in almost every important category this spring.

“They know who they want from the get-go probably,” Balfour said. “I don’t know what they wanted to do. I could have probably given up no runs and not make it, I don’t know. It’s frustrating. That’s the way it goes. I wish them the best of luck.”

Balfour pitched 12 innings. He allowed four runs and seven hits. He struck out 11 and walked nine.

Dohmann pitched 11 1/3 innings. He allowed 11 runs and 16 hits. He struck out 10 and walked four.

Balfour had one bad outing, and that came Thursday in Winter Haven when he allowed a one-out single in the sixth inning and walked the next three batters. Balfour had entered the game in the fifth and retired the first batters he faced, including three by strikeout.

Rays manager Joe Maddon won’t be available until after the game, so management’s take in the situation is unknown at this point.

“I don’t know how that’s stuff works,” Balfour said. “All I know is I’m not on the team.”

Dohmann spent half the 2007 with the Rays. He was 3-0 with a 3.31 ERA in 32 2/3 innings over 31 games.

Balfour was 1-0 with a 6.14 ERA in 22 innings over 22 games.

Balfour said he wasn’t sure which carried more weight – his body of work last season or his body of work this spring.

“I don’t know how that’s stuff works,” he said. “All I know is I’m not on the team.”

Balfour can only return to the Rays organization if he clears waivers. He said he would consider going to Triple A Durham but hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

“I’m hoping someone picks me up and I can pitch in the big leagues,” he said. “I feel I can pitch in the big leagues.”