LHP Brian Anderson said after his career-ending elbow injury this spring that he'd love to find a way to stay in the game.

But even he was surprised how quick (and what role) he'd soon find himself in.

Anderson, a charismatic, 35-year-old lefty, spent only one month with the Rays, but made enough of an impression that the club offered him a job as the assistant to pitching coach Jim Hickey. Anderson, who was "honored" by the offer, will do scouting and help monitor pitchers with Hickey, going to all the home games and staying back on road trips.

"It's not something I ever dreamed of," Anderson said. "I was honored."

In other news, Manager Joe Maddon said ace LHP Scott Kazmir (left elbow strain) has a throwing schedule set; he will progress playing catch from further distances the next few days, from 90-feet today to 120 feet. Maddon said Kazmir could throw from the mound sometime next week.

Maddon said it's a more conservative throwing plan than what Kazmir underwent earlier this spring, after he suffered the strain on Feb. 26 before the team's first intrasquad game. Kazmir threw a live batting practice on Mar 13, with the plan of making his first spring start that Sunday against Detroit, but plans were backed off as the Rays continued to be cautious with Kazmir.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com