Update 5:22 p.m.

*DH Cliff Floyd was all smiles Friday, sounding optimistic on his recovery from knee surgery two weeks ago. The 35-year-old said he feels really good, and hopes to rejoin the team after the next road trip (May 9th).

Maddon said that timetable is "possible," but Floyd still has to get some at-bats in rehab assignments, starting next week.

*In other training table news, RHP Al Reyes will make a rehab assignment Monday, recovering from his shoulder impingement. INF Ben Zobrist will get the pins removed from his hand, but will still need to get some work at extended spring, at-bat wise, before returning.

*Maddon still hasn't decided if ace LHP Scott Kazmir (left elbow strain) will start May 3 or May 4 vs the Red Sox...

*Carlos Pena is out of the lineup tonight, mostly because of his 4-for-26 performance against Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield. Maddon said Pena should return to the lineup Saturday.

Looks like 1B Dan Johnson will stay with the Rays organization.

Johnson has cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Durham, a week after getting claimed off waivers by the Rays. It was a short and relatively awkward stay for Johnson, who was cut loose one day after meeting the team in Disney (made expendable with trade for Gabe Gross, and Carlos Pena's healthy hamstring).

*In other news, top pick LHP David Price threw a successful live batting practice today at the minor league complex, but apparently needs some more work before he makes his first extended spring start. Price, who was hampered by a muscle strain in his left elbow near the end of spring training, said earlier in his rehab that he was set to do four extended spring starts before making his debut with Class-A Vero Beach.

Price hasn't started a regular season game since June 1st of last year for Vanderbilt.

The Rays are set to welcome the Red Sox for a three-game series at Tropicana Field. Lineups to come.

RAYS
Aki 2b

Crawford, lf

Upton, cf

Gomes, dh

Longoria, 3b

Hinske, 1b

Navarro, c

Gross, rf

Bartlett, ss

Garza, P

RED SOX

Ellsbury, cf

Pedroia, 2b

Ortiz, dh

Ramirez, lf

Youkilis, 3b

Drew, rf

Casey, 1b

Lugo, ss

Cash, c

Wakefield, P

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com