Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

Joe Smith

Joe Smith covers the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Bucs for the Tampa Bay Times. He joined the Times in 2006 after spending two years with the Modesto Bee in California, where he did everything from covering the Single-A Modesto Nuts minor league baseball team and high school football to tackling first-person stories on whitewater rafting and adventure racing. Smith, 26, grew up in the Detroit suburbs and attended the University of Michigan, where he covered the football, basketball and hockey teams for the Michigan Daily. He freelanced for the Associated Press and Detroit Free Press before securing internships at Crain's Detroit Business and the Raleigh News & Observer. An avid runner, Smith loves traveling, pizza and checking out local bands.

Phone: (813) 310 9024

Email: joesmith@tampabay.com

Blogs:

Bucs Beat

The Heater

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

    Blog

    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.

  2. Red Sox rally past Rays in ninth

    The Heater

    ST. PETERSBURG — Fernando Rodney was covered in camouflage on his way out of Tropicana Field on Thursday night, part of the team's latest wardrobe-themed road trip.

    But after the Rays closer blew another save in a 4-3 loss to the Red Sox, many of those 16,055 at the Trop were probably wondering where the dominating All-Star from last year is hiding.

    After walking the bases loaded in the ninth, Rodney, one strike away from sealing a victory, gave up a bases-clearing double to Will Middlebrooks to erase a two-run lead and put a sour end on a 6-4 homestand....

  3. Torres on getting called up by Rays

    Blog

    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."...

    Alex Torres delivers a pitch during a 2012 spring training game against the Orioles in Port Charlotte.
  4. Video: Rays place Price on DL, call up Torres

    Blog

    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....

    David Price left Wednesday's game with a left triceps strain.
  5. For starters, Rays vs. Red Sox, with Price on the mind

    Blog

    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....

    Alex Cobb will start tonight for the Rays.
  6. Rays callup Torres shows more control

    The Heater

    ST. PETERSBURG — LHP Alex Torres was in his room watching TV around midnight Wednesday with his Triple-A Durham roommate, RHP Alex Colome, when he got the call he was headed for the big leagues.

    Both had seen on Twitter that the Rays might need a pitcher because of the injury to LHP David Price, who was put on the disabled list Thursday with a left triceps strain, and it could be either one of them....

    Alex Torres, above, who has demonstrated greater command this season at Triple-A Durham, gets the call as the Rays send David Price to the disabled list.
  7. Rays' Price goes on disabled list

    The Heater

    ST. PETERSBURG — Rays left-hander David Price was frustrated and disappointed Thursday that he had to go on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career.

    But both Price, who has a left triceps strain, and the Rays were optimistic he won't be out long. Manager Joe Maddon anticipated a "minimal" DL stint, missing just 2-3 starts.

    "I feel pretty good," Price said. "We're giving it a little time to calm down, and I will be out there in a couple weeks."...

    David Price, top center, says arm troubles and being a spectator are “new territory” for him.
  8. Rays: Camo attire, ace high jinks, goodbye to Office

    The Heater

    Rays at Orioles

    When/where: 7:05 tonight; Camden Yards, Baltimore

    TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

    Probable pitchers:

    Rays: RH Jeremy Hellickson (1-2, 5.25)

    Orioles: RH Jason Hammel (5-1, 4.93)

    Holding on: Hellickson is winless in his last four starts and has struggled to hold a lead. He is 6-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 13 career appearances (12 starts) against Baltimore....

  9. Rays-Orioles preview

    The Heater

    .Up next

    at Orioles

    Tonight-Sunday

    What's new: The Orioles (23-17) had won six of eight before dropping two straight to the Padres this week, but they were still tied for second in the AL East going into Thursday. Their rotation is banged up, with LHP Wei-Yin Chen (right oblique strain) and RHP Miguel Gonzalez (blister) on the disabled list, but RHP Jair Jurrjens is expected to make his Orioles debut Saturday against the Rays. 3B Manny Machado, one of the game's top young players, is on a roll, hitting .343. 1B Chris Davis entered Thursday tied for the league lead in homers (11). The bullpen is strong, including closer RHP Jim Johnson, who recently had his streak of 35 straight saves end....

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

    Blog

    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....

  11. Crash victim works to forgive former Ray Bush

    The Heater

    Tony Tufano tries not to be bitter, but there are days, like Wednesday, when he struggles to get out of bed and he can't help it.

    Tufano, 73, is grateful to be alive after he was nearly killed last year on March 22 in North Port, when his motorcycle was struck by a Dodge Durango driven by former Rays right-handed pitcher Matt Bush. Bush, 27, baseball's top overall pick in 2004, is in jail serving a 51-month sentence after pleading no contest in December to driving under the influence with serious bodily injury....

    Former Rays prospect Matt Bush, left, is serving time in jail in the wake of his DUI.
  12. Rays: Plantain recipes; camo trip; streaking

    The Heater

    Rays vs. Red Sox

    When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field

    TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

    Tickets: $14-$210, at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; $3 surcharge within five hours of game time.

    Probable pitchers:

    Rays: RH Alex Cobb (4-2, 3.09)

    Red Sox: LH Felix Doubront (3-1, 6.40)...

  13. Longoria named AL Player of the Week

    Blog

    Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was named American League Player of the Week on Monday.

    Longoria hit .464 with three homers and 11 RBI, including a two-run walkoff homer in Saturday's 8-7 win.

    Manager Joe Maddon said Longoria has been at the top of his offensive game, and it's shown, as the three time All-Star is among the top-10 in the league in batting average, on base percentage and slugging percentage....

  14. Rays reminded of Evan Longoria's importance

    The Heater

    ST. PETERSBURG — OF Sam Fuld said the Rays were certainly aware last year, especially when Evan Longoria missed 85 games with a hamstring injury, how important the third baseman is.

    But Fuld said as they've watched Longoria carry the team the past few weeks, including hitting a two-run, walkoff homer in Saturday's 8-7 win, "it's an even bigger reminder."

    The Rays aren't the only one to notice, as Longoria was named the American League player of the week Monday. He hit .464 with three homers and 11 RBI in seven games, helping spark a five-game winning streak heading into tonight's series opener with the Red Sox....

    Evan Longoria's two-run, walkoff homer lifted the Rays to an 8-7 win over the Padres on Saturday.
  15. Rays-Red Sox preview

    Sports

    Up next: vs. Red Sox

    Tonight through Thursday

    What's new: The Red Sox (22-16) have cooled off after a hot start, losing eight of their past 10 games to fall to third place in the American League East. They have DH David Ortiz back, though after his 27-game hitting streak ended, he has one hit in his past 20 at-bats. Boston's starting pitching has been its strength, but the Rays will miss RHP Clay Buchholz (6-0, 1.69) this series. The Red Sox bullpen has been unsettled, having lost RH closer Joel Hanrahan to season-ending surgery on his right arm, and with RHP Andrew Bailey (strained right biceps) still on the disabled list....