Exhibition schedule
Tickets: $10-27, available at raysbaseball.com, Charlotte Sports Park and Trop box offices, Tampa team store, through Ticketmaster.
Info: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
All games 1:05 unless noted
February
27: at Pirates
28: vs. Tigers
March
1: at Jays
2: vs. Orioles
3: vs. Twins
4: at Red Sox, 1:35
5: at Twins
6: Off
7: at Pirates
8: vs. Phillies
9: at Phillies
10: vs. Red Sox
11: vs. Twins, 7:05
12: vs. Yankees
13: Off
14: at Orioles
15: vs. Phillies
16: vs. Red Sox
17: at Red Sox, 1:35
18: Off
19: at Tigers
20: at Twins, 7:05
21: vs. Jays
22: vs. Orioles, at Pirates
23: vs. Twins
24: at Yankees
25: vs. Pirates, 7:05
26: at Phillies
27: vs. Jays
28: at Orioles, 7:05
29: at Tigers
30: vs. Tigers at Trop, 1:10
Hair today …
LHP David Price's uncertain future with the Rays has been a popular topic among national media coming through camp, and the story got a little hairy when foxsports.com's Jon Morosi asked Price about having to shave his beard if he were traded to the Yankees, who have a no-facial hair policy. "I wouldn't stay there very long then," Price said. "I wouldn't sign a long-term deal there. Those rules, that's old-school baseball. I was born in '85. That's not for me. That's not something I want to be a part of."
Head gear
The Rays have already been using the new Rawlings S100 Pro Comp batting helmets, unveiled Wednesday by MLB as 130 times stronger, 300 percent stiffer, 1½ ounces heavier and only slighter larger than previous models. "They take a little getting used to," INF Sean Rodriguez said. "But they say it's safer."
Puckheads
Rays Sam Fuld, Stephen Vogt and Craig Albernaz were excited just to get to go to Tuesday's Lightning-Leafs game in Tampa, even more so to get into the dressing room postgame, meet star Steven Stamkos and pose for a photo with GM Steve Yzerman (above, middle, with Vogt and Fuld). "Love hockey," Vogt said.
Gift of the day
LHP David Price already got a baby gift for 3B Evan Longoria and girlfriend Jaime Edmondson: A breast pump. "That's what Evan told me to buy,'' he said. "It was the most expensive thing on the registry and I had to buy it.''
Who is this Ray?
He is a native Canadian who was a third-round draft pick of Cleveland in 2005. Played for Team Canada in the 2009 WBC. Signed as a minor-league free agent.
The dish
Today's full-squad workout starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte) and lasts 2½ 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. Information: (941) 235-5025.
Heads up
Today will be the last long workout, with RHPs Jeremy Hellickson, Alex Cobb and Jake Odorizzi among those throwing batting practice, starting at 11.
On deck
Saturday: vs. Pirates, 1:05. Rays — Roberto Hernandez; Pirates — Jeff Locke; at Red Sox (Fort Myers), 1:35. Rays — Enny Romero, Red Sox — John Lackey
Sunday: at Twins (Fort Myers), 1:05. Rays — Chris Archer; Twins — TBA
Monday: vs. Red Sox (ss), 1:05. Rays — Alex Cobb; Red Sox — Alfredo Aceves
Tuesday: vs. Astros, 1:05. Rays — David Price; Astros — TBA
Who is this Ray: 1B Nick Weglarz
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
Follow our coverage on The Heater blog (tampabay.com/blogs/rays) and on Twitter @TBTimes_Rays.
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