LHP David Price, the Rays top draft pick, won't make his pro debut for about six more weeks after sustaining what the team said was a muscle strain in his left elbow. The injury, which occurred during a minor-league game Thursday is not considered serious, but the Rays project it will take that long for Price to work his way into shape to pitch in regular-season games.
"The good news is that obviously it's nothing significant,'' executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "We had that sense pretty soon after it happened but it's always good to get confirmation. Hearing the report the biggest delay is just going to be in terms of building him back up not necessarily getting him healthy.''
Price, who hasn't been in a regular-season game since June 1 for Vanderbilt, was to pitch for advanced Class A Vero Beach; now he is likely to remain in St. Petersburg for extended spring training workouts into at least mid-May.