Ace LHP Scott Kazmir was headed for an MRI on his left elbow after feeling what "felt like a hyperextension" while warming up for Tuesday's intrasquad game but said he was confident it was not a serious injury.
Also, top draft pick David Price was scratched from his scheduled inning for precautionary reasons due to some stiffness in his left shoulder.
Kazmir looked somber and addmitted he was concerned.
"It was just a little scary because I never felt it before,'' Kazmir said. "But after I talked with (head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield) and everything and we did some of the strength tests I felt confident it would be all right. Just got to check it out just to make sure. ...
"I feel like I'll be all right. Just precautions. ... They said there's a couple minor things that could go on that are just really nothing.''
Though Kazmir, 24, spoke optimistically, he looked downcast and somber as he prepared to head out to see Dr. Koco Eaton. Kazmir said he "felt great" warming up in the bullpen but after what he thought was his third pitch warming up on the game mound felt "a little discomfort'' but definitely not a pop, which is typically an indication of a more severe problem. "It was just scary,'' he said. "I didn't want to test it, didn't want to just throw through it'' and "just wanted to stop it right there.''
He said he showed "great strength" on tests performed by Rays trainers and was encouraged that he didn't feel any further pain in the elbow, which was covered by a blue sleeve as he prepared to leave. He said he could flex the elbow in and out with no pain. "That's a good sign,'' he said. "It kinda feels like maybe I just tried to do a little too much to try to get warmed up.''
A few moments earlier outside the clubhouse, he described it like this: "It felt like it just jammed a little bit, kind of like a hyperextension. ... The thing is I don't feel anything now. If it was a torn ligament or something, you'd be hurting.''

- MARC TOPKIN