The Tampa Bay Rays will look to make it two spring wins in a row Thursday when they head to Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers for the first time in 2021 for a Grapefruit League matchup with the Minnesota Twins. Ryan Yarbrough is scheduled to start against Kenta Maeda. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 pm.
Rays Starting Lineup
Choi 1B
Arozarena LF
Mejia C
Diaz 3B
Adames SS
Margot CF
Brujan 2B
J. Lowe DH
Boldt RF
Twins Starting Lineup
Kepler RF
Buxton CF
Polanco 2B
Sano 1B
Jeffers C
Kiriloff DH
Rooker LF
Riddle SS
Lin 3B
Will We See Seven Innings Today?
The first game between these two clubs on Monday was shortened from seven to six innings at the request of Rays manager Kevin Cash to help alleviate a shortage of pitching. But the request was made in the middle of the game, not before, which of course led to Cash’s friend and Twins manager Rocco Baldelli to take playful jabs in the media at him.
Cash was asked today about whether this game would go the full seven innings or need to be shortened, and levied a playful jab back.
“I’ll let Rocco know once the game starts,” he deadpanned.
Veterans Nearly Ready For Spring Debuts
The Rays have taken it slow with a number of veteran players this spring, but a handful are close to being ready to make their spring debuts for the club.
Cash said left-hander Rich Hill, who signed a one-year deal with the team at the beginning of the spring, is still slated to make his first Grapefruit League start Friday against the Boston Red Sox. In addition, right-hander Chris Archer, who missed all of 2020 with Pittsburgh after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery, threw a bullpen session on Wednesday in Port Charlotte.
“He’s going to be slotted in here pretty soon,” Cash said.
Outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (hips) continues to take batting practice and participate in defensive drills, and Cash said the plan remains for him to make his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday at Charlotte Sports Park against Boston.
Honeywell’s Spring Continues On Pace
Right-hander Brent Honeywell has not played in a game since the 2017 season ended due to multiple arm injuries, but the 25-year-old is finally healthy after a cleanup procedure over the offseason.
Cash said Thursday that Honeywell is continuing to throw bullpen sessions, with the next coming Friday, and another either on Monday or Tuesday.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
