Time now an issue with Baldelli

TAMPA – For the first time this spring, Rays manager Joe Maddon expressed concern over the health of Rocco Baldelli’s leg.

Baldelli hasn’t played since Tuesday when he had two at-bats against Minnesota as the Rays designated hitter.

“The reason I’m taking these days off is to give my muscles a while to recover,” Baldelli aid Friday.

Maddon thought he could get Baldelli some at-bats over the weekend, but that won’t be the case. When asked if he was worried about Baldelli, who has a long history of leg problems, Maddon said:

“It's not like we're not worried about it right now (but) over the course of the next week something's probably got to give in a positive direction to know that he's going to be able to get out there with any kind of regularity. You're looking to get nine innings, whether it's as a DH or an outfielder, so I'd say the next week is going to be very vital or important to determine that.''

Welcome back, Mr. Anderson
Left-hander Brian Anderson pitched to his first big league hitters since 2005 when suffered the first of consecutive elbow injuries that required back-to-back reconstructive surgeries.

He worked the fourth inning, allowed a single to Alex Rodriguez then retired the next three batters.

“A-Rod,” Anderson said, “if you’re going to do it, let’s do it right.”
Anderson’s fastball was in the high-80s.

“That’s called adrenaline, my friend,” he said.

The non-roster invitee , who has given himself a July 1 deadline to either make significant progress or retire, is ahead of scheduled. He hoped to work maybe one inning in a spring game, but is now scheduled to pitch Wednesday.

“Baby steps,” he said. “I’ve been out long enough. There’s no reason to push it. It was awesome being out there. There’s no rush to push it. Right now I’m playing with dealer’s money. Why push it?”

Garza looks sharp
Matt Garza allowed a leadoff double to Johnny Damon and walked two to load the bases in the first inning. But a trip from pitching coach Jim Hickey settled down the right-hander, who is expected to be the No. 3 pitcher in the Rays rotation.

Garza said he was trying so hard to keep the ball down that his shoulders weren’t level and he was getting the ball up in the zone.

“It was a minor adjustment,” Garza said.

And one that worked well.

Garza struck out Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano to get out of the jam and pitched two more perfect innings.

This & That
Bench coach Dave Martinez was so impressed with David Price, who struck out three with a fastball clocked at 98 and 99 that he told the rookie he could keep his No. 14 ... Jonny Gomes hit his second home run of the spring, a towering shot to right-center field that was aided by 15 mph wind blowing to right field. Still, Maddon was impressed with Gomes ability to drive the ball to the opposite field and that was another example … Jon Weber continues to impress in the outfield, and his throw to the plate from right field in the sixth inning was impressive despite the fact that Bernie Castro slid under the tag of Shawn Riggans … Carl Crawford stole a pair of bases … Scott Dohmann pitched two scoreless innings to close out the game for the Rays … Hector Gimenez hit his first home run of the spring for the Rays.

- Roger Mooney, Herald Staff Writer