UPDATE, 11:53: Cash said once Duffy, who was out with hamstring issues, gets in a couple games at third they will start getting him some outfield time which was part of plan coming into spring. ... Cash said first wave of cuts will be “fairly large” as they need to start focusing on the guys who will or could be part of the big-league team. ... Ringer in today’s Rays-Twins wives softball game could be Madison Lowe (wife of Brandon), who played 4 years at Maryland, and was pretty good. She’ll be at SS we hear.
UPDATE, 10:50: Here is the Twins lineup:
Kepler rf
Polanco ss
Cruz dh
Rosario lf
Schoop 2b
Austin 1b
Castro c
Buxton cf
Arraez 3b
Berrios p
UPDATE, 9:19: 3B Matt Duffy said his previously sore left hamstring has passed all tests and he is set to return to the lineup as planned on Saturday.
Lefty Ryan Yarbrough said he came out of his Thursday bullpen session with no issues from his previously tight groin, and is slated to return to game action on Sunday.
The Rays plan to have Blake Snell pitch Monday in Clearwater against the Phillies (and maybe that Bryce Harper guy), and Charlie Morton throw a sim game on Tuesday rather than face the Blue Jays in Dunedin.
Also slated to pitch for the Twins today are Addison Reed, Taylor Rogers, Blake Parker, Trevor Hildenberger, Mike Morin, Preston Guilmet.
DEVELOPING: The Rays will make their third trip of the spring to Fort Myers today to play the Twins, managed by Rocco Baldelli, the longtime Tampa Bay player and coach.
Jake Faria will be on the mound for the Rays, looking to continue his impressive spring and bid to put his rough 2018 behind him and pitch his way back into the team’s plans.
Also scheduled to pitch are Ryan Merritt, Oliver Drake, Adam Kolarek, Ricardo Pinto, Luis Santos, Hoby Milner. The Twins are starting Jose Berrios.
Following the baseball, the Rays and Twins wives will play their annual charity softball game,.
Here is the Rays lineup posted in the clubhouse on Thursday, with Brandon Lowe making his first start of the spring in leftfield:
B. Lowe lf
Garcia rf
Choi 1b
Adames ss
Wendle 2b
Perez c
N. Lowe DH
Arroyo 3b
Bonifacio cf
Faria p
Rays spring info
Today: at Twins 1:05, Hammond Stadium, 14100 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy, Fort Myers.
Pitchers
RAYS: Jake Faria, Ryan Merritt, Oliver Drake, Adam Kolarek, Ricardo Pinto, Luis Santos, Hoby Milner
TWINS: Jose Berrios (starter)
Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297
On deck
Saturday: vs. Orioles, 1:05; Fox Sports Sun; 95.3 FM, 620-AM
Sunday: vs. Red Sox, 1:05; 95.3-FM, 620-AM
Monday: at Phillies, 1:05
Spring schedule
March
12: at Blue Jays, 1:07
13: OFF
14: vs. Phillies (ss), 1:05
15: vs. Tigers (ss), 1:05
at Pirates (ss), 6:05
16: vs. Twins, 1:05
17: at Red Sox (ss), 1:05
Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene
Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Explore all your options18: vs. Pirates, 1:05
19: at Yankees, 1:05
20: OFF
21: vs. Braves (ss), 1:05
at Red Sox (ss), 6:05
22: vs. Pirates, 1:05
23: at Tigers, 1:05
24: at Braves (North Port), 4:05
25: at Phillies, 1:05
26: vs. Tigers (at Tropicana Field), 12:35