The Heater

Video: Peralta on hanging on for win

Rays reliever Joel Peralta talks about how the Rays hung on for a 12-10 win on Friday night in Baltimore.

For starters: Rays at Orioles

DIRK SHADD | Times

Jeremy Hellickson has had problems holding leads and going deep into games, two trends the Rays are hoping he will halt.

UPDATE, 6:02: Maddon said Rodney most likely is unavailable tonight and that he would decide on a closer based on the situation, though it sounds like Peralta would be the guy, unless they need him in the eighth ... Maddon also said they are confident Rodney can work through his command issues and that it doesn't appear that he needs mechanical adjustments but the proper mindset. ... No announcement yet on Monday's starter, as Maddon said it was still among the four candidates - Jake Odorizzi, Chris Archer, Alex Torres (who is here in the bullpen) and Alex Colome. Maddon acknowledged Archer is least likely since he was on a 75-pitch limit when he started Thursday. …

Rays Price reports he's "feeling pretty guuood!"

Rays LHP David Price reported on his Twitter account a good first day in his rehab/recovery from a triceps strain.

Price, who was played on the DL Thursday, did not accompany the team to Baltimore and is working out at the Trop.

Price's post:

Good days work at the field...feeling pretty guuood!! I miss my teammates already

Those are the Rays, though in camo gear

Tampa Bay Rays

Rays pitchers Matt Moore (yes, that's him), Alex Cobb, Jeremy Hellickson and Cesar Ramos were in the spirit.

Thursday's frustrating loss to the Red Sox didn't stop the Rays from their planned camo dress up trip to Baltimore, and there were - no surprise - some creative looks. Here are a few samples, courtesy of the Rays.

Video: Rays Rodney on blowing save in 4-3 loss to Red Sox

Rays closer Fernando Rodney talks about blowing his third save of the season in a 4-3 loss to the Red Sox Thursday night at Tropicana Field.

Rodney, an All-Star last season, has more blown saves than he did all of 2012, when he had two. Rodney walked a career-high four batters in the ninth, before giving up a bases-clearing double to Will Middlebrooks to erase a 3-1 lead.

Torres on getting called up by Rays

EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN | Times

Alex Torres delivers a pitch during a 2012 spring training game against the Orioles in Port Charlotte.

LHP Alex Torres was sitting in his room Wednesday night with Triple A Durham teammate and roommate Alex Colome wondering if he'd get the call.
 
Both pitchers knew they could get brought up as a temporary fill-in for the Rays bullpen, taking roster spot of injured ace LHP David Price (triceps strain).

At midnight, Torres received word - it was him.

"I'm so happy," he said Thursday.

Torres, 25, has bounced back with a strong start this year after struggling last season. He said he gained confidence in winter ball and it's carried over, boosting his command. He had 49 strikeouts and just 14 walks w Durham this year.

Torres, who has had a few short stints in the big leagues the past two years, believes he's more prepared now.

"I think the confidence I have right now, that's the key," Torres said. "Last year I had all the pitches, but I didn't have that type of confidence. This year I can throw my slider, my change up in any count. That's why I've been able to throw the ball well at Triple A."

Video: Rays place Price on DL, call up Torres

JAMES BORCHUCK | Times

David Price left Wednesday's game with a left triceps strain.

Update 5:15 p.m. Rays manager Joe Maddon said he really anticipates a normal or "minimal" DL stint for LHP David Price, who may miss 2-3 starts.

"I really do anticipate when he's well, he's going to be well for a long time," Maddon said. "We have plans of playing in October, and we're not getting there without him."

Maddon said they haven't decided on who will start Monday in Price's place, but will do so soon. RHP Jake Odorizzi is the most likely candidate, but Maddon said Chris Archer, Alex Colome and even recently-called up LHP Alex Torres are being considered. Archer would seem out since he's pitching tonight. …

For starters, Rays vs. Red Sox, with Price on the mind

JAMES BORCHUCK | Times

Alex Cobb will start tonight for the Rays.

Update 3:23 p.m. The Rays have officially placed LHP David Price on the 15-day DL with a left triceps strain. LHP Alex Torres was called up from Triple-A Durham.

Developing: The Rays will wrap up a 10-game homestand tonight with a series finale against the Red Sox, but the key storyline remains the health of ace LHP David Price.

Price left in the third inning of Wednesday's start due to a left triceps strain, and while manager Joe Maddon didn't consider the injury serious, he acknowledged it was unlikely the All-Star would make his next start Monday.

They were going to wait to see how Price felt today, but there are a few options. Tampa Bay could bring up a reliever to help the bullpen, which had to cover 6 2/3 innings last night. There's been nothing official from the Rays yet, but LHP Alex Torres and RHP Alex Colome are potential temporary additions. Both are on the 40-man rosters and off to solid starts at Durham.

If it's determined Price can't make his next start, they could always call up a starter - whether that's RHP Jake Odorizzi or Chris Archer - later. …

Alex Torres to join Rays from Durham

EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN | Times (2012)

Alex Torres delivers a pitch during a 2012 spring training game against the Orioles in Port Charlotte.

Nothing official from the team yet, but we're hearing Alex Torres is on his way to join the Rays from Triple-A Durham.

This means David Price, who strained his left triceps during last night's loss to the Red Sox, is headed to the disabled list.

Torres' promotion makes senses in that it adds a fresh arm to the bullpen. The Rays can add a starter Monday.

Video: Rays Price on arm injury

Rays LHP David Price discussing the left triceps strain that forced him out of Wednesday's game, and possibly to the DL.

UPDATE: Price has triceps strain, MRI not bad, know more Thursday

UPDATE, 11:22: Price has a triceps strain but an MRI wasn't bad, Maddon said. More will be known on Thursday. Price said he had no prior indications, and never had this before. Unlikely he starts Monday. Odorizzi could be call-up.

UPDATE, 8:34: The Rays announce Price left the game with left triceps tightness.

UPDATE, 8:24: No word from Rays yet on Price. ESPN, which is doing the game and has reporter Tim Kurkjian in camera pit next to Rays dugout, reporting it is a triceps issue.

DEVELOPING: Rays LHP David Price left tonight's game during the top of the third inning.

Price threw a 95 mph fastball that David Ortiz rolled into leftfield for an RBI single, then Rays manager Joe Maddon, pitching coach Jim Hickey and head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield all went to the mound.

Porterfield seemed to do most of the talking, and after a few minutes, Price walked off the mound with Porterfield at his side.

Price had said on Tuesday he was bothered by allergies that affected his vision and had tried some new eye drops.

Price threw 57 pitches (37 for strikes) over his 2 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and charged with four runs.

Ex-Rays RHP Wheeler hoping for another shot

Former Rays reliever Dan Wheeler is back home in Pinellas County this week after getting his release from Kansas City’s Triple-A team, but hoping to get another opportunity to pitch.
   “If something worked out I’d listen,’’ said Wheeler, 35. “I’m not closing the door on anything. It would have to be a really good situation.’
  Wheeler last pitched regularly in the majors in 2011 with Boston. He spent the bulk of last season with Cleveland’s Triple-A team, though did pitch in 12 games for the Indians. He signed this winter with the Royals and went to Triple-A Omaha, but struggled, going 1-3, 9.00 in 11 games, allowing 28 hits and five walks in 15 innings. He had a May 15 out-clause and said both sides agreed to an early resolution.
    Wheeler, though, said he is confident he could still be successful in the big leagues, and knows he would have to prove that by working his way back through the minors.
  “I don’t feel like I’ve lost anything,’’ Wheeler said. “My arm and body feel great. There’s definitely something there.’’
    And while he is enjoying being home with his family (which includes father-in-law Dewayne Staats, the Rays TV play-by-play man), Wheeler doesn't sound quite ready yet for retirement.
    “No one wants to go out like that,’’ Wheeler said. “I’m kind of hoping there’s something out there. I'd be willing to listen.’’

Civil case settled for ex-Ray RHP Matt Bush and Brandon Guyer

The Tufano family has come to a settlement agreement with ex-Rays RHP Matt Bush and OF Brandon Guyer to resolve their civil case, attorney Richard Hirsch said Wednesday.

Hirsch wouldn't discuss the amount, due to a confidentiality agreement, but the settlement is believed to be about $400,000 total. The family had originally sued both Bush and Guyer for $5 million each.

Bush pleaded no contest in December to driving under the influence with serious bodily injury as a result of his March 22, 2012 car accident, which resulted in near life-threatening injuries to 72-year-old motorcyclist Tony Tufano. Bush was driving the Dodge Durango owned by Guyer, which is why he was named in the lawsuit.

Bush, baseball's top overall pick in 2004, is in jail serving a 51-month sentence. Guyer is currently playing for Triple-A Durham.

Hirsch said Tufano has made a remarkable recovery, but is still not the same, and continues to need orthapedic therapy.

For starters: Rays vs. Red Sox

JAMES BORCHUCK | Times

David Price, last year's Cy Young Award winner, has only one win this season but looked in his last outing as close to top form as he's been all season.

UPDATE, 5:55: Rays, per Elias, are 1st AL team since Yankees in May 2009 to win 6 straight games in which they came from behind. Rockies did it in April 2011. ... The Rays are also the first AL team since the 2007 Tigers to hold a lead in 26 consecutive games (including 10 they lost). The Tigers and the 2008 Mets both did so for 28 strraight games.

UPDATE, 5:48: Maddon said Loney is in the lineup as much for his defense with Price on the mound as his potential for offense vs. Lester. The other option was to DH Luke Scott, with Kelly Johnson in left and Sean Rodriguez at 1B. Maddon also said he moved Escobar, who had been hitting 9th, up to 5th because he liked the matchup with Lester. ... Maddon said again, as he has several times, that he felt Price was close to regaining top form and once he had one game where everything worked he would get on a roll.

Update 3:25 p.m.  The Rays lineup will include a couple left-handed hitters, Kelly Johnson and James Loney, against Red Sox LHP Jon Lester. …

Video: Matt Joyce's bizarre 2-run infield single

JAMES BORCHUCK | Times

Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli, center, is unable to play an infield popup by Matt Joyce, right, in the fourth inning. Two Rays score on the play.

MLB.com video of Tuesday's crazy Matt Joyce catwalk infield pop-up that drove in Jose Molina and Yunel Escobar, the winning runs in the Rays' 5-3 win over Red Sox: