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Rays' Guyer prefers to say little about ex-roommate Matt Bush

Brandon Guyer has “no thoughts” on his former roommate.
Brandon Guyer has “no thoughts” on his former roommate.
Published May 19, 2016

TORONTO — Rays OF Brandon Guyer was an unwitting participant in the Matt Bush story, as well as a resulting lawsuit, as it was his truck Bush was driving in the spring training 2012 DUI crash that landed Bush in prison.

So it was somewhat understandable that Guyer hasn't had much to say about Bush, who served 34 months, resumed his career with the Rangers and made it to the majors for the first time.

"No thoughts," Guyer said. "Just wish him good luck."

Bush, though, had a little more to say, writing a letter of apology that Guyer got when he got to the Trop at the start of the season.

"He was my roommate and a good friend. I felt bad that he was involved in what happened, because he let me use his car," Bush explained to Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News this week.

"I wanted to let him know how much I appreciate him and how sorry I was for what happened. It was something that helped me move on."

Guyer said he read the letter but did not respond, and was not comfortable talking much about the situation. "That was the only contact," Guyer said.

The family of victim Tony Tufano sued Bush and Guyer for $5 million each; the case was settled in March 2013 for what the Tampa Bay Times reported was about $400,000 total. Guyer allowed Bush to use the vehicle to drive to the team facility but not otherwise and didn't know he had a suspended license, his agent said at the time.

MONTOYO HONORED: 3B coach Charlie Montoyo is headed to Durham, N.C., on today's off day to be inducted into the Triple-A International League Hall of Fame. Montoyo, in his second season with the big-league staff, spent 2007-14 managing in Durham, winning two championships and a franchise-record 663 games.

"When they called to tell me the news, my first thought was that I was going to have the chance to go back to Durham and thank everybody, all the great people and the fans and everyone," Montoyo said. "That's what I'm excited about, thanking people."

Montoyo will be honored before Durham's game with Rochester and joined by his wife, Samantha, and sons Tyson and Alex, whom the Bulls are flying in from their Arizona home.

STEEL JAWED: RHP Ryan Webb was still a little sore but otherwise fine after a scary incident Tuesday when a line drive by Jimmy Paredes glanced off his glove and struck his jaw. "I had an accident a couple years ago where my jaw had been clicking ever since," Webb said, "but I think I kind of fixed it."

ARCHER'S RBI: RHP Chris Archer, joined by buddy and Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman, met before the game with about 40 kids who are members of Toronto's Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program. "I'm just happy to use my platform to help people," Archer said. "People are willing to listen to athletes. I just take advantage of that opportunity."

REHAB REPORT: RHP Brad Boxberger (core muscle repair surgery) allowed one hit and one walk in his one-inning outing for advanced Class A Charlotte, the second of his five-six planned rehab appearances. Boxberger, who struck out one, threw 21 pitches, 11 for strikes.

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LOGAN'S RUN: In logging his first RBI of the season Tuesday after 86 at-bats without, 1B Logan Morrison avoided some large infamy — comparison with Jose Molina. The former Rays catcher has the team record of 87 at-bats to start a season without an RBI.

MISCELLANY: The Rays swept their first series in Toronto since July 2013. … After today's day off, the Rays play 20 straight days. … INF Steve Pearce was out of the lineup, but manager Kevin Cash said that was to give him back-to-back days off as he has been on his feet a lot in playing more second base with Logan Forsythe out. … Lefty swingers SS Brad Miller and OF/DH Corey Dickerson didn't start, either.