Rays Camp: News and Notes
Sunday was for the most part an administrative day, but there was plenty that took place in Rays camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Pitchers had for the most part a normal work day, with Zach Eflin and Jason Adam among those throwing bullpen sessions.
Tyler’s Terrific
After a stomach bug sidelined him on Saturday, Tyler Glasnow threw his normal bullpen session a day later on Sunday. Manager Kevin Cash called it the best bullpen he’d seen him throw because of how he filled up the strike zone.
“(He) and Jason Adam were side-by-side,” said Cash. “It was impressive.”
The Gang’s all Here
All players expected to report on Sunday did, with all slated to be on site for Monday’s full workout with one exception. With camp split between the Orlando area and St Petersburg, Shane Baz is starting camp by continuing his Tommy John rehab in his home state of Texas. Baz is not expected to pitch in games this year, so based on the way camp was set up, Cash said continuing in Texas made a lot of sense.
The Rays begin full-squad workouts with no true distractions. All of the arbitration rulings have come down in the team’s four cases, with the players winning two and team winning two.
Who Leads the Way
The Rays went most of last year without the traditional dance party or rap after victories that Kevin Kiermaier made famous, since Kiermaier was on the IL much of the season.
Brandon Lowe says that the team adapted and had the previous game’s MVP lead the way at the suggestion of David Peralta, something that will likely continue this year.
“It’s something that needs to be celebrated,” said Lowe about each of the team’s wins. “I don’t think you should ever come in and (just) slap hands and say good game and scroll through your phone after a win.”
On Deck
While Monday is the first full team workout, Cash says it will be a shorter day than Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. That’s when the team will hold its live batting practice sessions.
