OF Joey Gathright was a popular figure in the Rays clubhouse and on field before Tuesday's game as reporters asked him - over and over - about his spring training altercation with Red Sox reliever Julian Tavarez. Gathright said much the same thing Tuesday as he told the Times over the weekend, that he considered the incident to be in the past and was not expecting any additional trouble - though he'll be ready it if occurs. Manager Joe Maddon said he was not concerned about further problems either.

If you are looking for something to occupy 20 minutes, go to www.bostondirtdogs.boston.com and listen to Curt Schilling's latest radio show ramblings.

Maddon said he didn't know who would start Saturday's game in Texas, but that it would not be Mark Hendrickson, who is going to need several more days to recover from shoulder stiffness that landed him on the DL. Most likely, the Rays will call someone up from the minors, with Edwin Jackson a possibility.

Reliever Chad Orvella was happy to rejoin the team, having been sent to the minors at the end of spring training to work on a few mechanical adjustments. Maddon said he wasn't sure what role Orvella would fill in the ""amorphic'' bullpen.

Shortstop Julio Lugo stayed back in St. Petersburg to continue his rehab from the strained abdominal muscle that landed him on the DL, though Maddon said it could be another week to 10 days until he rejoins the team.

While it was a pleasant afternoon in Boston, temperatures dropped into the 50s by Tuesday evening and were headed down from there. The Rays were breaking out the ski caps and heavy jackets.