Molina leaves game in 5th

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Rays catcher Jose Molina left the game in the fifth inning Saturday with an apparent lower body injury.

Molina was running hard to get to second after lining a ball off the CF wall, and just after arriving, standing up, he called time and left the field with a trainer.

Molina had twice left games this season with right knee bruises after being hit by foul tips.

Jose Lobaton took Molina's place.

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Monday starter set .. announcement later today

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The Rays have made a decision on Monday's starter in Toronto and plan to announce it after today's game, manager Joe Maddon said.

RHP Jake Odorizzi, acquired from Kansas City with Wil Myers in the James Shields trade, is expected to be the choice.

The Rays had also been considering RHP Chris Archer, RHP Alex Colome and RHP Alex Torres, who was called up on Thirsday and is here with the team working in relief.

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For starters: Rays at Orioles

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UPDATE, 3:18: Orioles lineup:

McLouth lf
Machado 3b
Markakis rf
Jones cf
Davis 1b
Wieters c
Hardy ss
Dickerson dh
Navarro 2b
Jurrjens p

UPDATE, 12:49: Rays lineup looks somewhat - relatively speaking - standard:

Jennings cf
Joyce rf
Zobrist 2b
Longoria 3b
Loney 1b
Scott dh
Johnson lf
Molina c
Escobar ss
Hernandez p

DEVELOPING: Having hung on for a tenser-than-it-should-have-been 12-10 victory Friday night, the Rays hope to beat the rain and the Orioles again Saturday with Roberto Hernandez on the mound.

The bullpen will be something of a question mark, as the Rays were forced to use Joel Peralta for a four-out save on Friday and warm up Fernando Rodney, so it's possible neither will be available today.

The Orioles are starting Jair Jurrjens, the former Tigers and Braves pitcher who began the year with their Triple-A team.

The forecast for afternoon showers has improved slightly, with the higher percentages of rain not likely now until the 6-7 p.m. range. First pitch today is at 4:05, and the game is on Fox national (Ch. 13 in Tampa Bay) not Sun Sports.

 

 

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Rays-Royals makeup won't be June 3

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We still don't know when the Rays and Royals will makeup their May 2 snowed out game in Kansas City, but was told today by an informed source it won't be June 3, which was the date the players on both teams had agreed on.

Though the teams share three common off-days, none work in terms of the myriad MLB and players union rules, such as how many days in a row a team can play.

The other two dates - July 29 and Aug. 26 remain in dicussion.

The July 29 date would extend what already is an 11-day three-city road trip for the Rays to open the second half, with a workout and three games in Toronto, then four games in Boston and three in New York.

The Aug. 26 date falls between two home series for the Rays, so they would basically just fly up to Kansas City for the day.

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Video: Peralta on hanging on for win

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Rays reliever Joel Peralta talks about how the Rays hung on for a 12-10 win on Friday night in Baltimore.

 

 

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For starters: Rays at Orioles

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DIRK SHADD | Times

Jeremy Hellickson has had problems holding leads and going deep into games, two trends the Rays are hoping he will halt.

UPDATE, 6:02: Maddon said Rodney most likely is unavailable tonight and that he would decide on a closer based on the situation, though it sounds like Peralta would be the guy, unless they need him in the eighth ... Maddon also said they are confident Rodney can work through his command issues and that it doesn't appear that he needs mechanical adjustments but the proper mindset. ... No announcement yet on Monday's starter, as Maddon said it was still among the four candidates - Jake Odorizzi, Chris Archer, Alex Torres (who is here in the bullpen) and Alex Colome. Maddon acknowledged Archer is least likely since he was on a 75-pitch limit when he started Thursday. …

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Rays Price reports he's "feeling pretty guuood!"

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Rays LHP David Price reported on his Twitter account a good first day in his rehab/recovery from a triceps strain.

Price, who was played on the DL Thursday, did not accompany the team to Baltimore and is working out at the Trop.

Price's post:

Good days work at the field...feeling pretty guuood!! I miss my teammates already

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Those are the Rays, though in camo gear

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Tampa Bay Rays

Rays pitchers Matt Moore (yes, that's him), Alex Cobb, Jeremy Hellickson and Cesar Ramos were in the spirit.

Thursday's frustrating loss to the Red Sox didn't stop the Rays from their planned camo dress up trip to Baltimore, and there were - no surprise - some creative looks. Here are a few samples, courtesy of the Rays.

 

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Video: Rays Rodney on blowing save in 4-3 loss to Red Sox

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Rays closer Fernando Rodney talks about blowing his third save of the season in a 4-3 loss to the Red Sox Thursday night at Tropicana Field.

Rodney, an All-Star last season, has more blown saves than he did all of 2012, when he had two. Rodney walked a career-high four batters in the ninth, before giving up a bases-clearing double to Will Middlebrooks to erase a 3-1 lead.

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Torres on getting called up by Rays

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EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN | Times

Alex Torres delivers a pitch during a 2012 spring training game against the Orioles in Port Charlotte.

LHP Alex Torres was sitting in his room Wednesday night with Triple A Durham teammate and roommate Alex Colome wondering if he'd get the call.
 
Both pitchers knew they could get brought up as a temporary fill-in for the Rays bullpen, taking roster spot of injured ace LHP David Price (triceps strain).

At midnight, Torres received word - it was him.

"I'm so happy," he said Thursday.

Torres, 25, has bounced back with a strong start this year after struggling last season. He said he gained confidence in winter ball and it's carried over, boosting his command. He had 49 strikeouts and just 14 walks w Durham this year.

Torres, who has had a few short stints in the big leagues the past two years, believes he's more prepared now.

"I think the confidence I have right now, that's the key," Torres said. "Last year I had all the pitches, but I didn't have that type of confidence. This year I can throw my slider, my change up in any count. That's why I've been able to throw the ball well at Triple A."

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Video: Rays place Price on DL, call up Torres

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JAMES BORCHUCK | Times

David Price left Wednesday's game with a left triceps strain.

Update 5:15 p.m. Rays manager Joe Maddon said he really anticipates a normal or "minimal" DL stint for LHP David Price, who may miss 2-3 starts.

"I really do anticipate when he's well, he's going to be well for a long time," Maddon said. "We have plans of playing in October, and we're not getting there without him."

Maddon said they haven't decided on who will start Monday in Price's place, but will do so soon. RHP Jake Odorizzi is the most likely candidate, but Maddon said Chris Archer, Alex Colome and even recently-called up LHP Alex Torres are being considered. Archer would seem out since he's pitching tonight. …

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For starters, Rays vs. Red Sox, with Price on the mind

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JAMES BORCHUCK | Times

Alex Cobb will start tonight for the Rays.

Update 3:23 p.m. The Rays have officially placed LHP David Price on the 15-day DL with a left triceps strain. LHP Alex Torres was called up from Triple-A Durham.

Developing: The Rays will wrap up a 10-game homestand tonight with a series finale against the Red Sox, but the key storyline remains the health of ace LHP David Price.

Price left in the third inning of Wednesday's start due to a left triceps strain, and while manager Joe Maddon didn't consider the injury serious, he acknowledged it was unlikely the All-Star would make his next start Monday.

They were going to wait to see how Price felt today, but there are a few options. Tampa Bay could bring up a reliever to help the bullpen, which had to cover 6 2/3 innings last night. There's been nothing official from the Rays yet, but LHP Alex Torres and RHP Alex Colome are potential temporary additions. Both are on the 40-man rosters and off to solid starts at Durham.

If it's determined Price can't make his next start, they could always call up a starter - whether that's RHP Jake Odorizzi or Chris Archer - later. …

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Alex Torres to join Rays from Durham

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EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN | Times (2012)

Alex Torres delivers a pitch during a 2012 spring training game against the Orioles in Port Charlotte.

Nothing official from the team yet, but we're hearing Alex Torres is on his way to join the Rays from Triple-A Durham.

This means David Price, who strained his left triceps during last night's loss to the Red Sox, is headed to the disabled list.

Torres' promotion makes senses in that it adds a fresh arm to the bullpen. The Rays can add a starter Monday.


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Video: Rays Price on arm injury

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Rays LHP David Price discussing the left triceps strain that forced him out of Wednesday's game, and possibly to the DL.

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UPDATE: Price has triceps strain, MRI not bad, know more Thursday

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UPDATE, 11:22: Price has a triceps strain but an MRI wasn't bad, Maddon said. More will be known on Thursday. Price said he had no prior indications, and never had this before. Unlikely he starts Monday. Odorizzi could be call-up.

UPDATE, 8:34: The Rays announce Price left the game with left triceps tightness.

UPDATE, 8:24: No word from Rays yet on Price. ESPN, which is doing the game and has reporter Tim Kurkjian in camera pit next to Rays dugout, reporting it is a triceps issue.

DEVELOPING: Rays LHP David Price left tonight's game during the top of the third inning.

Price threw a 95 mph fastball that David Ortiz rolled into leftfield for an RBI single, then Rays manager Joe Maddon, pitching coach Jim Hickey and head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield all went to the mound.

Porterfield seemed to do most of the talking, and after a few minutes, Price walked off the mound with Porterfield at his side.

Price had said on Tuesday he was bothered by allergies that affected his vision and had tried some new eye drops.

Price threw 57 pitches (37 for strikes) over his 2 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and charged with four runs.

 

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