Gray leaves mark on way to Minors camp

Tristan Gray was among eight players reassigned to Minor League camp on Tuesday, but the 25-year-old left an impression during his first full big league camp.

“He's a versatile player that does it all,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “I'm not a big fan of comparing players, but you look [at Mike Brosseau]; the way he can go play everywhere, Tristan has worked on his defense just as much as his offense. The offense is what we talk about for good reason, but to be able to stick him at shortstop, I don't think we could have done that two years ago.”

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Gray has played all over the infield this spring, adding a start in right field to his résumé during Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Orioles in Sarasota, Fla.

“He said yesterday to somebody, ‘I haven't played right field in two years,’” Cash said. “We responded, ‘We really don't care; just go stand out there and just keep swinging the bat.’”

In 14 games prior to being sent out, Gray posted a 1.245 OPS with two home runs and five RBIs. Although he’s not listed on MLB Pipeline's loaded list of Tampa Bay’s Top 30 Prospects, Gray has used that absence as motivation to show he can be a contributor.

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“You come in with a chip on your shoulder when things like this happen, but I don't look at it as disrespect by any means,” Gray said. “There are a lot of talented guys here, and I think that's allowed me to work harder. It's infectious in this organization just to play well and win.”

The other seven players reassigned to Minor League camp were: right-handers Stetson Allie, Chris Ellis, Adrian De Horta and Joey Krehbiel; left-hander Dietrich Enns; outfielder Ryan Boldt; and catcher René Pinto.

Roe returns
Chaz Roe made his first appearance since March 13, getting the final two outs of the fifth inning against the O's on Tuesday.

Roe, who walked one hitter and struck out two, has been battling what Cash called a “cranky” right shoulder, but he reported no problems after the outing.

“You never know which way it's going to go, especially for a guy that missed significant time," Cash said. "It wasn't the shoulder, it was the elbow, but injuries are injuries, and those pitchers' arms are really important, very delicate.

"It was good to see him back there. The first thing [pitching coach Kyle Snyder] and I asked him when he came off the mound was, ‘How do you feel?’ He said he felt great, so thumbs up there.”

Extra bases
• Ji-Man Choi received a second cortisone injection in his right knee Monday, but Cash said the first baseman will begin to “get ramped up” with more rehab activity by Wednesday.

• Kevin Kiermaier was away from the team as he and his wife, Marisa, welcomed their second son, Krew Jax, who was born Tuesday morning.

Up next
The Rays return home to Port Charlotte, Fla., on Wednesday, where they’ll host the Twins in a 1:05 p.m. ET start. Chris Archer gets the start for Tampa Bay, while Michael Pineda is scheduled to pitch for Minnesota. The game will be broadcast on MLB.TV.