Rays set weekend Grapefruit League plan
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Thursday’s workout was a quick one for the Rays as the focus has shifted towards Grapefruit League play, which begins on Friday with a home game against the Phillies at 1:05 p.m. ET.
“We’ll get a weekend, and then it’s almost like you get tired of playing games that don’t count,” manager Kevin Cash said. “It’ll be a lengthy spring, but there should be some excitement with some youth and some of the unknown with some guys playing different positions that will keep us more engaged than maybe your traditional grouping of players that play one spot.”
Cash said the thing he’s looking forward to watching this spring is how the team’s versatility stacks up on the defensive side. The Rays have made it a priority to have a roster that features players who are capable of playing multiple positions.
“One thing is to claim that you’re versatile, but to be really good at all of them is pretty special,” Cash said. “I hope that has a trickle effect throughout the club, whether it’s outfield or infield, that wherever you’re playing, we expect you to really play well.”
Austin Pruitt will be the Rays' starting pitcher for Friday’s game at Charlotte Sports Park. Other pitchers who could see action against Philadelphia include Hunter Wood, Andrew Kittredge, Casey Sadler, Andrew Moore, Luis Santos, Colin Poche, Oliver Drake and Ryan Merritt.
The Phillies are scheduled to start 25-year-old left-hander Cole Irvin. Irvin finished with a 2.57 ERA in Triple-A in 2018.
Daniel Robertson is scheduled to hit leadoff with Tommy Pham, Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Diaz, Kevin Kiermaier, Willy Adames, Mike Zunino, Jake Smolinski and Joe McCarthy also being in the Rays' starting lineup. Robertson will play second base, with Choi at first base and Diaz at third.
Rays' weekend plan
It could change after Friday’s game, but the current plan for Saturday’s night contest against the Twins is for Ryan Yarbrough, Jake Faria and Jalen Beeks to get into the game. Diego Castillo, Emilio Pagan and Adam Kolarek are also expected to make an appearance against new Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli's club.
Austin Meadows is scheduled to lead off on Saturday with Joey Wendle, Brandon Lowe, Smolinski, Guillermo Heredia, Christian Arroyo, Jesus Sanchez, Andrew Velasquez and Nick Ciuffo also expected to be in the starting lineup. Meadows will be the designated hitter, Lowe will play first base and Arroyo will handle shortstop.
As for Sunday, Tyler Glasnow is set to make his first Spring Training appearance against the Yankees. Ryne Stanek and Yonny Chirinos will also pitch against New York.
Duffy, Gibaut sidelined
Matt Duffy said he felt some discomfort in his left hamstring while running the bases on Wednesday, which will hold him out of games for the next couple of days.
“I finished running the bases and took ground balls after, but you know, you go with the constant back-and-forth battle with your mind like, 'I’m good, but is it smart to think that?'” Duffy said.
Cash confirmed that sitting Duffy is more of a precaution and they don’t expect the injury to be serious.
“It’s probably more caution on our part,” Cash said. “But he had a couple issues pop up last year so we’re going to do everything we can to knock that out of there.”
Reliever Ian Gibaut was back in camp after traveling to New York to see a lat specialist, and while he received positive news about the injury, Cash said he doesn’t expect to see Gibaut getting much playing time.
“He’s going to be out for a little while, we’re going to be very cautious with him,” Cash said. “I would imagine a couple of weeks. We probably won’t see him too much during Spring Training.”
Worth noting
• Outfielder Avisail Garcia will get the first couple of games off, and he expects to make his first appearance on Wednesday against the Red Sox.
• Pitcher Wilmer Font said that he plans on throwing a batting practice session on Sunday, and he won’t appear in a game until March 2. The Rays have two games that day, but Font believes he’ll play in the home game against the Phillies.