Rousey respect
OF Brandon Guyer, the Rays' mixed martial arts and UFC expert, had even more respect for Ronda Rousey after her 14-second title defense against Cat Zingano. "I thought that was going to be her toughest test," Guyer said. "Like people are saying, she's the Mike Tyson of MMA right now. … She's a legend." Guyer has done some MMA training but has no interest in a firsthand experience with Rousey. "I wouldn't want to try," he said. "I'm not afraid to admit it, she would probably kick my (butt)."
Special guests
Josh Fisher, a 6-year-old in remission from leukemia, was on hand Sunday, with his family and Pediatric Cancer Foundation executive director Nancy Crane, to encourage players to sign up for Friday's Cut for a Cure event. For the fourth straight year, team personnel will shave their heads to raise awareness and funds; see pcfcutforacure.org.
Noncomparison of the day
Asked about the potential in moving LHP Mike Montgomery to a relief role, Rays manager Kevin Cash said, "Well, he's 6-6 and he's left-handed. There's another guy that's 6-6 and left-handed and done pretty well for himself, Andrew Miller (who signed a four-year, $36 million deal with the Yankees). I'm not comparing anybody, but that type of leverage and deception plays pretty well."
The dish
Today's full-squad workout starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and will last 3-plus hours. Admission and parking free. Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 South to Toledo Blade Road, go west 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, stadium complex is on left. For more information: (941) 235-5025.
Heads-up
First-and-third plays are the fundamental of the day, but the highlight will be the third day of live BP, starting at 11. Scheduled pitchers include Alex Cobb, Nathan Karns and the hard-throwing Jose Dominguez and Jhan Marinez.
On deck
Thursday: vs. Orioles, 1:05. Rays — RH Nathan Karns; Orioles — TBA
Friday: vs. Twins, 1:05. Rays — RH Matt Andriese; Twins — TBA
Saturday: vs. Pirates (Bradenton), 1:05. Rays — RH Alex Cobb; Pirates — RHP A.J. Burnett
Exhibition schedule
Rays tickets: Range from $10-$29, available at raysbaseball.com, via phone (toll-free 1-800-745-3000), CSP or Tropicana Field box offices, team Tampa Store (400 N Tampa St.), all Ticketmaster outlets.
All games 1:05 p.m. unless noted:
March
8 vs. Phillies
9 at Yankees
10 at Red Sox (SS)
vs. Pirates (SS)
11 at Twins
12 vs. Blue Jays
13 at Phillies
14 at Orioles
15 vs. Mets
17 at Phillies
18 at Blue Jays, 1:07
19 vs. Twins
20 vs. Blue Jays
21 vs. Twins
22 at Jays, 12:37
23 vs. Pirates
25 at Twins
26 vs. Yankees
27 at Orioles
28 vs. Red Sox
29 at Red Sox
30 vs. Orioles
31 at Orioles (SS)
vs. Red Sox (SS)
April
1 at Yankees
2 at Phillies
3 at Tigers
4 vs. Tigers at Trop, 12:35
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer