Rays get help for right field

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

ST. PETERSBURG – Nathan Haynes, picked up off waivers Friday by the Rays, will be part of a right field platoon with Jonny Gomes.

A left-handed hitter, Haynes will play against right-handed pitchers and might even see time at the end of games as a defensive replacement.

“If he doesn’t start the game he probably gives us our best chance to finish the game with the lead,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

The 28-year-old Haynes was the 32nd pick in the 1997 draft by the Oakland A’s, but didn’t reach the majors until last season when he played in 40 games with the Angels, his third organization.

He hit .267 for the Angels after batting .386 for Triple A Salt Lake.

This spring Haynes batted .265 with four stolen base before becoming the odd man out in a crowded Angels outfield.

The Rays like his speed, defense and arm, Maddon said.

“He’s gradually gotten better over the last few years,” Maddon said. “He might be one of those late bloomers.”

Aybar update
Both Maddon and vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman expected third baseman Willy Aybar (left hamstring strain) to start Monday when the team opens the season at Baltimore.

“We’ll know more (Saturday),” Maddon said.

Aybar was 1-for-2 with a home run Friday while playing in a minor league game.

Kazmir update
Scott Kazmir (left elbow strain) played catch in outfield with pitching coach Jim Hickey on Friday morning, making 70 to 80 throws from 100 feet.

“I’m not going to put any timetable on (a return to the rotation),” Kazmir said. “The good news is it feels wonderful right now. It feels great. All it is now is building up innings. Getting three outs, sitting down, getting back up and going back out there for another inning. And that’s it.”

Kazmir has basically restarted his spring training. The long-tossing will lead to bullpen sessions then to innings in extended spring games and a rehab start or two with one of the minor league teams.

Spring training runs seven weeks for pitchers, and by starting over, Kazmir’s timetable probably won’t have him back with the Rays until, at best, the end of April.

“Hopefully, it won’t be as long as spring training,” he said.


The finale
The Rays played their 150th and final spring training game at Al Lang Field on Friday and lost 6-3 to the visiting Cincinnati Reds.

Matt Garza started, making his first start at Al Lang this spring, and struggled through his first three innings. He allowed two runs in five innings. His next start will be April 2 against the Orioles in Baltimore.

Carl Crawford had a pair of doubles.

The Rays used Dan Wheeler, Gary Glovers, Al Reyes and Troy Percival and each allowed a run. Reyes and Glover allowed their first runs of the spring.

Up next
The Rays finish their best spring in team history against the Reds at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Saturday.
Edwin Jackson will start for the Rays.