Rays today: vs. Phillies in spring opener at Port Charlotte

UPDATE, 11:55: Rays manager Kevin Cash opened his media session today talking about Boston Globe writer Nick Cafardo, who passed away yesterday, calling him a friend and “a pro’s pro,” and saying “it’s a tough day for baseball.”

Also:

Cash said OF Avisail Garcia won’t play until Wednesday or so, part of a pre-camp plan to ease him into action following offseason knee surgery, stressing there was no injury or setback in camp.

Cash also said they likely won’t have a set leadoff hitter this season, will use several. Among the possibilities, #Rays Cash mentioned look Joey Wendle, Daniel Robertson, Brandon Lowe, Austin Meadows and even Yandy Diaz.

Here is the Phillies lineup:

Quinn cf

Kingery ss

Franco 3b

Williams lf

Knapp c

Robinson rf

Romine 2b

Cozens dh

Listi 1b

DEVELOPING: It’s time for baseball, as the Rays open their spring exhibition season today in Port Charlotte with a 1:05 game against the Phillies.

Austin Pruitt will start for the Rays, and like most pitchers used the first few days, will likely work only one inning.

Here is the lineup posted Thursday in the Rays clubhouse, and subject to change:

Robertson 2b

Pham lf

Choi 1b

Diaz 3b

Kiermaier cf

Adames ss

Zunino c

Smolinski dh

McCarthy rf

Pruitt p

Those also slated to pitch today include: Austin Pruitt, Hunter Wood, Andrew Kittredge, Casey Sadler, Adam Moore, Luis Santos, Colin Poche, Oliver Drake, Ryan Merritt. The Phillies are starting lefty Cole Irvin.

Rays spring info

vs. Phillies 1:05, Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte.

Pitchers: Rays – Austin Pruitt, Hunter Wood, Andrew Kittredge, Casey Sadler, Andrew Moore, Luis Santos, Colin Poche, Oliver Drake, Ryan Merritt; Phillies – Cole Irvin (starter)

Radio: raysbaseball.com, MLB At Bat app (free with mlb.com account)

Rays information: 1-888-326-7297

On deck

Saturday: at Twins, 6:05; Rays, Ryan Yarbrough; Twins, TBA; 620-AM, 95.3-FM

Sunday: vs. Yankees, 1:05; Rays, Tyler Glasnow; Yankees, TBA; Fox Sports Sun, 620-AM, 95.3-FM

Monday: vs. Marlins, 1:05; Rays, TBA; Marlins, TBA; Fox Sports Sun; raysbaseball.com radio

Spring schedule

February

26: Tuesday, at Orioles, 1:05

27: vs. Red Sox (ss), 1:05; Fox Sports Sun; raysbaseball.com radio

28: vs. Twins; 6:35, 620-AM, 95.3-FM

March

1: at Orioles (ss); 1:05

2: vs. Phillies (ss); 1:05 Fox Sports Sun, 620-AM, 95.3-FM; at Blue Jays (ss), 1:07

3: at Pirates, 1:05; 620-AM, 95.3-FM

4: OFF

5: at Twins (ss), 1:05; vs. USF, 6:05 620-AM, 95.3-FM

6: vs. Orioles, 1:05; Fox Sports Sun; raysbaseball.com radio

7: vs. Blue Jays, 1:05; raysbaseball.com radio

8: at Twins, 1:05

9: vs. Orioles (ss), 1:05; Fox Sports Sun, 620-AM, 95.3-FM

10: vs. Red Sox, 1:05; MLB Network, 620-AM, 95.3-FM

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11: at Phillies, 1:05

12: at Blue Jays, 1:07

13: OFF

14: vs. Phillies (ss), 1:05; raysbaseball.com radio

15: vs. Tigers (ss), 1:05; Fox Sports Sun; raysbaseball.com radio; at Pirates (ss), 6:05

16: vs. Twins, 1:05; Fox Sports Sun, 620-AM, 95.3-FM

17: at Red Sox (ss), 1:05; 620-AM, 95.3-FM

18: vs. Pirates, 1:05; raysbaseball.com radio

19: at Yankees, 1:05; Fox Sports Sun

20: OFF

21: vs. Braves (ss), 1:05; raysbaseball.com radio; at Red Sox (ss), 6:05

22: vs. Pirates, 1:05, Fox Sports Sun; raysbaseball.com

23: at Tigers, 1:05; 620-AM, 95.3-FM

24: at Braves (North Port), 4:05; 620-AM, 95.3-FM

25: at Phillies, 1:05

26: vs. Tigers (at Tropicana Field), 12:35; Fox Sports Sun; raysbaseball.com