That's a wrap on spring training

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

SARASOTA – The Rays finished spring training at 18-8, their best record ever and the best among American League East teams.

Eric Hinske appeared in 25 games, the most of any player.

A non-roster invitee, Hinske made every trip.

“First time I ever did that,” he said.

Elliot Johnson led the team with a .418 average and 22 hits and set a team record for most runs scored in an exhibition season with 17. He received the Al Lopez Award as the best rookie in camp.

Final moves
The Rays cut the roster down to the mandated 25 by making 13 moves on Saturday.

Pitchers Kurt Birkins (left elbow neuritis) and Chad Orvella (right shoulder tendonitis) were placed on the disabled list.

Pitcher Grant Balfour was designated for assignment.

Catcher Josh Paul was released.

First baseman Chris Richard, infielder Andy Cannizaro, catcher Mike DiFelice, outfielders John Rodriguez and Jon Weber and pitcher Scott Munter were reassigned to minor league camp.

Infielder Joel Guzman was optioned to Triple A Durham.

Pitcher Juan Salas, who has yet to leave the Dominican republic because of visa problems, was assigned to Hudson Valley.

Hinske’s leap of faith
Eric Hinske was taking a chance when he signed a minor league deal with an invite to the Rays minor league camp.

“I think anytime you’re a non-roster guy it’s a leap of faith,” he said. “You try to pick the right situation. This is the first time I was in this situation in my career. I really didn’t know what to expect. I just know I had to come in and compete for a job. It kind of lit a fire under me a little bit. I couldn’t take anything for granted, just come in and work the right way, work hard.”

Hinske made the team because he can play the corner positions in both the infield and the outfield and because Rays manager Joe Maddon said he is a more “professional hitter” Than Guzman is at this point in Guzman’s career.

“It definitely helps if you can play all four corners,” Maddon said. “It gives the manager more flexibility, and that’s what he told me he was looking for. He said I would pretty much play all over the place. He said he’d try to give me a day’s notice on where I’m going to play.”

Riggans sticks
It might have made sense to send Shawn Riggans to Durham so he could play every day rather than let the rookie sit behind Dioner Navarro at the major league level. But Maddon said his plans call for Riggans to catch two times a week.

“We love what Mike did during the spring,” Maddon said. “We believe him going back to Durham and catching for us, that he’s a great insurance policy for us right now. And Riggo, we just felt it was time to give him an opportunity also. Primarily just to give Riggo his opportunity to play in the big leagues right now based on what’s happened for him historically and what he’s done in the minor leagues. But it’s a nice feeling to have DeFelice sitting where he is right now.”

Riggans reached the Rays in each of the past two seasons, but played just three games last season after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow.

“Obviously they see something in me that they like, and they feel I can contribute to the ball club, and that’s the most important part, and I feel that I can,” Riggans said. “I know all the guys on the club, I know the pitching staff. I think I have some good things to offer.”

Why Howell?
The might lose Grant Balfour, who was placed on waivers Saturday, because he was out of options. One option might have been to keep Balfour and send Howell to Durham, because Howell still has an option.

Maddon said the decision to keep Howell and move the left-hander to the bullpen is because the Rays need a long man, and he feels Howell can fill that role better than anyone else.

“I just think J.P. has done such a great job,” Maddon said. “I like idea of him coming out of the bullpen, I like the idea of him coming out and going one time thru the batting order. He’s the kind of guy you can go the innings, possibly four if necessary. He was the one guy we felt could be that guy that can be that guy who can bridge if you have a starter getting beat up in the second inning. And I’m also curious because I believe by beginning with this particular role in the bullpen, that eventually he might be able to be placed later in the game. I think his makeup permits it he has strike-throwing ability. He gets both righties and lefties out. He’s got deception, and he’s got great makeup for me. I kind of like him in our bullpen.”

Up next
The Rays open their 11th season Monday in Baltimore against the Orioles.

James Shields makes his first Opening Day start Monday faces Jeremy Guthrie on Opening Day.

Matt Garza makes his Rays debut when faces Daniel Cabrera on Wednesday.

Andy Sonnanstine will pitch the finale Thursday night against former Rays Steve Trachsel.