UPDATE, 4:45: Anderson's agent, Jaime Torres, said he was a bit surprised at the Rays decision but hopes Anderson gets an opportunity - somewhere - to play in the big leagues. "All he wants to do is play,'' Torres said. "And I want to see him play, so if not with Tampa hopefully somewhere else in the big leagues.'' Torres said several other teams were interested last spring when Anderson chose to sign with the Rays, and that Anderson had shown he can play leftfield and first base and can hit, so he would think there would be interest.

UPDATE, 2:25: Ruggiano was disappointed but not surprised at the move, saying he had been expecting something could happen since the Rays agreed to terms a few weeks ago with Damon and Ramirez. "If it's what the Rays feel like is best for their organization then it's their choice. I'm disappointed but at the same time it could open up another door or opportunity for me,'' he said. "Only time will tell.'' Ruggiano was planning to leave his Texas home on Sunday to drive to Port Charlotte, but said he will now wait to see what happens. "They said they'll do what's best for me; there's nothing I can say on that, I'm not sure how it will all work out. ... I've been working real hard and I was excited about the season. Now I'm not really sure what the future is for me in Tampa.''

DEVELOPING: The Rays officially made room on their 40-man roster today for Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez by designating for assignment 1B/OF Leslie Anderson and OF Justin Ruggiano.

The Rays now have 10 days to trade, release or pass them through waivers to get them to the minors.

Ruggiano, 28, was expected to compete for the backup outfield spot, but the acquisition of Sam Fuld from the Cubs, and the potential of Desmond Jennings, limited his opportunity. Ruggiano, who played for the Rays in 2007-08 and has been at Triple-A Durham the last two years is out of options, so the Rays would have had to take him off the roster by the end of the spring anyway if he didn't make the team.

Anderson, 28, is a Cuban who was signed last spring for a reported $500,000 bonus. He hit .302 with 11 homers and 49 RBIs in three stops in the minor-league system, working his way from Class A Charlotte to Double-A Montgomery to Triple-A Durham.