ST. PETERSBURG -- Dana Eveland has elected to become a free agent, but he said he expects to re-sign with the Rays.
"That's the plan," said Eveland, a veteran left-handed reliever, noting that he should soon be back in the fold with the team.
The Rays outrighted Eveland on Friday after he went 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in 33 games this season.
Eveland dominated while at Triple-A Durham, posting a 1-0 record with a 0.30 ERA in 20 appearances.
Worth noting
• Kevin Barr, the Rays' longtime strength and conditioning coach, will not be back with the team next season. Barr said the team told him they have decided to go in another direction.
"It's all good," said Barr regarding the move. "I don't regret any of my time with the team. It's a great organization, great people."
Barr had occupied the position since December 2002.
• Rays players, alumni, coaches, employees and season-ticket holders will all participate in the American Heart Association's Tampa Bay Heart Walk on Nov. 12 at Raymond James Stadium.
The Heart Walk is the American Heart Association's signature fundraising event. The event promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, and its proceeds go toward saving lives from heart disease and stroke -- the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in U.S. adults.
The Rays are walking in support of four members of the organization's family who have survived heart-related health issues. The team's chief business officer Jeff Cogen survived a 2005 heart attack and purchasing coordinator Mike Yodis suffered a heart attack last December. Lee Ann Nelson, wife of Rays coach Jamie Nelson, has survived multiple heart attacks. Camden Cash, eldest daughter of Rays Manager Kevin Cash and his wife, Emily, underwent open heart surgery in 2007 when she was only 17 months old.
"It is heartwarming to see the Rays provide such support for Lee Ann, Mike, the Cash family and me," Cogen said. "It is that kind of emotional support that is so important to the survivors and their families. We are all grateful to serve an organization that cares deeply about the health and well-being of its employees, and one that supports many community partners like the American Heart Association."