* The sale of 1B Dan Johnson to the Yokohama Bay Stars of Japan's Central League was made official. Johnson, who hit the memorable pinch-homer off Boston's Jonathan Papelbon, likely would have spent the season at Triple-A if he had stayed with the Rays.
* Brady Williams was officially announced as manager of the short-season Class A Hudson Valley Renegades. Williams, 29, gets his first managing job after spending the last three seasons as a coach in the Rays system. He grew up in the Dunedin area and is the son of longtime major-league manager and coach Jimy Williams. His staff, according to the Renegades, will include pitching coach Rafael Montalvo and coaches Michael Johns and Manny Castillo.
* Matt Quatraro was named manager of the Rays' new full-season affiliate in Bowling Green, Ky., and will be assisted by coaches R.C. Lichtenstein and Hector Torres. Quatraro, a former Rays minor-league catcher, will be in his fourth season as a manager, having spent two seasons at Hudson Valley and last season at Class A Columbus (Ga.).
Joe Maddon, Johnny Damon and Evan Longoria are only some of the Rays you'll meet through our new video interview series. Don't see your favorite player yet? Check back often, as we'll add to the series as the season progresses.
