Blogs
Welcome
Register
Profile
Help/Contact Us
HOME MLB NFL NBA NHL NAS GOLF CFB BLOGS FORUMS MOBILE WIDGETS GAMES
Home

Latest MLB Player News-Rays

  Team   Position    Major/Minor 
More Player News
 Jason Isringhausen-R- Rays Feb. 9 - 10:23 am et

Jason Isringhausen (elbow) told KSLG 1380-AM in St. Louis Tuesday that he plans to pitch in the major leagues this season.
Izzy has been playing catch in the St. Louis area this winter with Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter and told a local radio station Tuesday morning that there's a "90 percent chance" he will sign a contract with a big league squad. We'll see about that. The 37-year-old right-hander has undergone 10 surgical procedures for various ailments during his 14-year professional career and most recently underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
 Heath Phillips-R- Rays Feb. 3 - 2:03 pm et

Rays signed LHP Heath Phillips to a minor league contract.
He also receives an invite to Spring Training. Phillips, who turns 28 in March, was 8-7 with a 4.99 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 27 games (25 starts) with Triple-A Omaha in the Royals organization last season.
 Alvin Colina-C- Rays Feb. 3 - 2:00 pm et

Rays signed C Alvin Colina to a minor league contract.
He'll receive an invite to Spring Training as part of the deal. Colina, 28, spent last season in the Braves' minor league system, batting .262/.344/.422 with eight home runs and 42 RBI in 225 at-bats with Triple-A Gwinnett.
 Mike Ekstrom-R- Rays Feb. 3 - 1:54 pm et

Rays claimed RHP Mike Ekstrom off waivers from the Padres.
Ekstrom was designated for assignment after the Padres inked Jon Garland last week. The 26-year-old right-hander tallied a 6.38 ERA in 12 relief appearances with San Diego last season, but put up a sparkling 1.73 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 42 games with Triple-A Portland.
 Matt Bush-R- Rays Jan. 28 - 1:14 pm et

Rays signed RHP Matt Bush to a minor league contract.
The troubled former 2004 first-round pick will take the first step at salvaging his once-promising career in March. Bush, now 24 years old, missed the entire 2008 season following Tommy John surgery -- just one of several setbacks during his tenure with the Padres -- and was released by the Blue Jays last April after violating a "zero tolerance" policy with the team. Bush was sentenced to 120 days in residential rehab after pleading guilty to assault charges in July. Hopefully he'll come to camp with a positive attitude and renewed outlook.
 Mike Ekstrom-R- Rays Jan. 27 - 12:15 pm et

Padres designated RHP Mike Ekstrom for assignment.
Ekstrom posted a 6.38 ERA in 12 relief appearances for the Padres last season and the club needed 40-man roster space for Jon Garland. The right-hander did fairly well in the minors last year and should be able to land employment elsewhere. He turns 27 later this season.
 B.J. Upton-OF- Rays Jan. 25 - 11:17 am et

B.J. Upton told Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times that arbitration won't be a problem and he is "all for" discussing long-term deal.
Upton asked for $3.3 million and was offered $3 million when arbitration figures were exchanged last week, so it would be a shame to see this go a hearing when in reality they aren't very far apart. If Upton is truly open to discussing a long-term contract on the heels of a subpar season, the Rays may end up with quite the bargain in the long run.
 Carl Crawford-OF- Rays Jan. 24 - 8:19 am et

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that if the Rays' financial situation doesn't improve, Carl Crawford may have to be dealt prior to the trading deadline.
There have been rumblings that MLB is concerned about the Rays' finances, and Cafardo says Carlos Pena is in a similar situation. Crawford has one year remaining on his deal and hit .305/.364/.452 with a career-high 60 stolen bases this past season. The 28 year old will command a lucrative contract and is a high probability to depart after the season regardless.
 Stepan Havlicek-S- Rays Jan. 20 - 6:23 pm et

Rays signed LHP Stepan Havlicek to a minor league contract.
Havlicek is the Rays' first foray into the European market. The 16-year-old was a member of the Czech Republic's junior national team. "Stepan has a loose, quick arm with good follow through," said John Gilmore, the Rays' European scout said. "His fastball has run and his curveball depth. For a young player, he has great control and goes right after hitters." The left-hander will report to extended spring training before playing at MLB's Australian academy over the summer.
 B.J. Upton-OF- Rays Jan. 19 - 6:01 pm et

B.J. Upton asked for $3.3 million from the Rays and was offered $3 million when arbitration figures were exchanged Tuesday.
It's good to see that both sides recognize Upton's value. The 25-year-old got a late start last season after recovering from shoulder surgery and batted just .241/.313/.373 with 11 home runs, 55 RBI and 42 stolen bases in 560 at-bats. But he's still a very promising, young talent and should be treated as such.
 Matt Garza-S- Rays Jan. 19 - 3:54 pm et

The Rays and RHP Matt Garza avoided arbitration on Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.35 million contract.
As a super-two, this was his first chance at arbitration. Garza, who turned 27 in November, was 8-12 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.26 WHIP last season, logging 189 strikeouts in a career-high 203 innings. He's still a couple steps away from being considered an ace.
 J.P. Howell-R- Rays Jan. 19 - 3:14 pm et

The Rays and LHP J.P. Howell avoided arbitration on Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.8 million contract.
The new deal includes a chance for more with incentives. Howell, who turns 27 in April, posted a 2.84 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 17 saves in 25 chances with the Rays last season. Though he had some success as closer, he broke down towards the end of the season. He'll likely revert to being a setup man for Rafael Soriano this season.
 B.J. Upton-OF- Rays Jan. 19 - 2:04 pm et

Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays did not reach an agreement with outfielder B.J. Upton and will go to arbitration, according to his agent Larry Reynolds.
Upton, 25, is eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter. After getting a late start to the season after shoulder surgery, Upton batted just .241/.313/.373 with 11 home runs, 55 RBI and 42 stolen bases in 560 at-bats. It makes his value rather tough to assess, since he could re-emerge as an offensive force at any time.
 Jason Bartlett-SS- Rays Jan. 19 - 12:26 pm et

The Rays and SS Jason Bartlett avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract.
Bartlett, 30, had a breakout year in 2009 and will try to top it this season as Tampa's starting shortstop, but some regression should be expected from the .287/.350/.394 career hitter. He finished '09 with a .320/.389/.490 batting line, 14 home runs, 66 RBI and 30 stolen bases.
 Carlos Pena-1B- Rays Jan. 18 - 6:13 pm et

Carlos Pena (fingers) has begun taking batting practice.
Pena underwent season-ending surgery in September of the 2009 season after fracturing the index and middle fingers on his left hand. He's expected to be totally healed by the start of spring training. "I feel great,'' Pena said Monday. "I'm very happy with that. My hand is pain-free - no discomfort at all.''
 Carlos Pena-1B- Rays Jan. 12 - 3:39 pm et

Rays manager Joe Maddon expects Carlos Pena (fingers) to be ready for the start of Spring Training.
Maddon has talked to his first baseman and said he is feeling "good." Pena underwent season-ending surgery after fracturing the index and middle fingers on his left hand when hit by a CC Sabathia fastball in September. He batted .227/.356/.537 with 39 homers and 100 RBI in 471 at-bats last season.
 Dan Johnson-1B- Rays Jan. 11 - 2:08 pm et

Rays signed first baseman Dan Johnson to a one-year deal, $500,000 contract.
The 30-year-old spent last season with the Yokohama BayStars of Japan's Central League. The last time Johnson was playing ball in the United States, he hit .307/.434/.556 in 2008 for Triple-A Durham. He went 5-for-25 with two home runs and four RBI in 25 at-bats with the Rays that season. Johnson has a career .248/.343/.420 batting line over 1,103 major league at-bats. He will provide the Rays with an adequate bat off the bench.
 Willy Aybar-1B- Rays Jan. 11 - 12:55 pm et

Willy Aybar has been shut down from his winter ball season in the Dominican Republic due to a sprained right wrist.
According to the team, the injury is minor and should not linger into Spring Training. Aybar, who turns 27 in March, batted .253/.331/.416 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 296 at-bats with the Rays last season. He's expected to resume his familiar utility role this season.
Source: MLB.com
 Dan Johnson-1B- Rays Jan. 11 - 12:45 pm et

Mark Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays have signed Dan Johnson to a one-year deal worth $500,000.
He spent last season with the Yokohama BayStars of Japan's Central League. Johnson, 30, has a .248/.343/.420 batting line over 1103 major league at-bats and was 5-for-25 with two home runs and four RBI in 25 at-bats with the Rays in 2008.
 Roberto Alomar-2B- Rays Jan. 6 - 2:15 pm et

Andre Dawson was the lone selection for the 2010 class of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
It took a while, but "The Hawk" made it with his ninth chance on the ballot. Dawson compiled a .279/.323/.482 career batting line to go along with 2,774 career hits, 438 home runs, 1,591 RBI and one NL MVP Award. Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar both earned over 70 percent of the votes, but fell just short. It's a real shock to see Alomar not make it, as he was the heavy favorite leading up to the announcement. Perhaps the five blank BBWAA ballots would have made the difference. In any case, both should have a strong chance at election in the next two years. Jack Morris, Barry Larkin, Lee Smith, Edgar Martinez, Tim Raines and Mark McGwire rounded out the top portion of the ballot.
Source: BBWAA.com
More Player News
Recent Fantasy Baseball Columns
DRAFT STRATEGY    (Feb 9)
If you're not familiar with our award-winning product, here are some of the ways the Draft Guide will help you prepare for your drafts and dominate your leagues
MULTIMEDIA    (Feb 9)
Why you should get the Rotoworld Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide.
STRIKE ZONE    (Feb 9)
Matthew Pouliot touches on overrated and underrated players at second base in the Strike Zone.
BASEBALL DAILY DOSE    (Feb 7)
Aaron Gleeman's analysis on Justin Verlander's extension, Kevin Gregg's odds of closing in Toronto, and Orlando Hudson's fit in Minnesota.

 
Red Sox Tickets
Chicago Cubs Tickets
Chicago White Sox Tickets
LA Angels Tickets
New York Yankees Tickets
Rays Tickets
Brewers Tickets
World Series Tickets

 
Fantasy Sports Games
MLB Sports Widget

You can add a widget to your blog, web site or portal in three clicks:
1) Click "get & share".
2) Select your service.
3) Follow steps to publish and/or copy and paste - it's that easy.

If you would prefer a different team or a different sport, click on the link below to view our widget gallery. You can grab one of our premade all-team sport widgets, or grab a team-specific widget for any team in the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL.


Go Mobile with Rotoworld and NBC Sports
Circling the Bases
Derek Jeter's defensive improvement is bad news for th ..
I wrote yesterday that tons of ink will be spilled over Derek Jeter's extension despite the fact that it's probably going to ...
Craig Calcaterra | Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:28:13 Z
The Mets' really, really good idea
The Mets have made a lot of bad decisions this offseason, but here's a really, really good one: having Keith Hernandez help D...
Craig Calcaterra | Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:57:19 Z
Cubs not rushing Lilly's recovery
Much like Brandon Webb, Ted Lilly is an All-Star pitcher trying to recover from surgery on his throwing shoulder. And much li...
Bob Harkins | Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:24:03 Z
Brandon Webb throws, thinks he'll be ready for season
Good news for Arizona Diamondbacks fans: Brandon Webb threw off a mound on Tuesday for the first time since his shoulder surg...
Bob Harkins | Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:00:41 Z
O's interested in Washburn ... sort of ... maybe
The Baltimore Orioles have some interest in Jarrod Washburn. Oh wait, no they don't. Well, maybe they do. Who knows? Fox repo...
Bob Harkins | Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:09:28 Z
Johnny Damon holding out for two-year deal
Want to know why Johnny Damon, who hit 24 homers and scored 107 runs last season, hasn't signed with a team as of February 9?...
Drew Silva | Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:04:27 Z
Uh... The Astros may re-sign Willy Taveras
UPDATE: It looks like this thing might actually happen.  Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle reports that Astros as...
Drew Silva | Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:38:42 Z
Diving into the depths: Texas Rangers
This is part of a 30-article series looking at each team's depth chart headed into spring training. Texas Rangers Rotation 1....
Matthew Pouliot | Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:37:39 Z
Mets close to deal with Mike Jacobs
ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Mets are close to agreement on a minor league contract with free agent first basem...
Drew Silva | Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:27:42 Z
Brandon Lyon to miss start of spring training
Astros GM Ed Wade revealed to the media Tuesday that relief pitcher Brandon Lyon had a small cyst in his right shoulder drain...
Drew Silva | Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:59:01 Z
 Team  Postion    Major/Minor 
Advertising Jobs Privacy Policy Help/Contact Us Fantasy Map Copyright 2010 © NBC Sports Digital. All Rights Reserved
Fantasy Baseball Season Pass
Fantasy Basketball - Snap Draft