Howell, Aybar headed to WBC

By ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com
CLEARWATER — J.P. Howell and Willy Aybar played their last games for the Rays on Saturday before heading to the World Baseball Classic.

Howell will pitch for the United States. Aybar will play first base for the Dominican Republic. Rays second baseman Aki Iwamura has stayed behind in Japan this spring to workout with his national team.

“Honestly, I don’t feel I’m deserving,” Howell said.

At this time last year, Howell was trying to make the Rays as a starter. He was moved to the bullpen and had a breakout season in 2008, leading the Rays to the American League pennant and the World Series.

Howell played on the USA under-18 national team when he was in high school. His teammates were current teammates Scott Kazmir and B.J. Upton.

“It’s definitely different,” Howell said of representing the United States. “It’s a big honor. I’m happy to be playing for Team USA, but it’s tough to leave (the Rays). The trash talking is at its peak. It’s getting to the point where it’s getting fun.”

Howell said he hasn’t heard any trash talk from Aybar.

“But Willy’s been looking at me funny this whole spring,” Howell said.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he isn’t concerned Howell will be over-worked in the WBC. Relief pitchers are limited to 30 pitches per appearance and they have to have two days off between outings.

“My concern is he won’t get enough work,” Maddon said.

An ill wind
Ryan Howard, John Mayberry and Miguel Cairo took advantage of a strong wind blowing to left field Saturday at Bright House Network Field in Clearwater and drove first inning home runs in that direction off Rays starter Mitch Talbot, who allowed five runs in the Phillies 12-5 victory.

“It was definitely playing a little small-ball (Saturday),” Maddon said. “Mitch played better than that number looked.”

What Maddon didn’t like was the way Talbot and catcher Shawn Riggans failed to make adjustments during that first inning. When Talbot got into trouble he tried to throw harder, a common mistake by young pitchers. Talbot did make the adjustment after talking with pitching coach Jim Hickey.

“In the second and third (innings) he looked like a different cat,” Maddon said.

Who wants second?
The Rays are without their regular second baseman with Iwamura not in camp until Japan either wins or is eliminated from the WBC.

Those who will benefit from additional playing time are Elliot Johnson, Ben Zobrist, Adam Kennedy and Reid Brignac.

The Rays like Brignac at shortstop, but Maddon wants him to get used to playing second so he can play both middle infield positions.

Zobrist will see more innings at second as the Rays continue to develop the one-time shortstop into the super utility player that Maddon wants on his roster. Johnson is being groomed for that role, too.

Same with Kennedy, who will find himself playing the outfield this spring.

NOTEWORTHY
Elliot Johnson and left fielder Ray Sadler hit their first home runs of the spring Saturday. Sadler crushed his to the back of the bullpen in left field ... Maddon was pleased with the two innings from Lance Cormier, despite the fact Cormier gave up a run in his first inning of work ... Willy Aybar, Pat Burrell, Jon Weber and Michel Hernandez had doubles for the Rays ... Game-time temperature was 76 degrees, some 47 degrees warmer than when these two teams meet in Philadelphia for Game 5 of the World Series.