Tampa Bay Rays: David Price milks time spent with model during commercial shoot; Wade Davis has scary encounter with bears

Price's brush with fame

LHP David Price was excited to get to do a national TV commercial for the MB2K12 video game. And that was before he found out he'd be joined by Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model Kate Upton, who leans in to give him personal instruction on playing. "I messed up multiple times just so she'd continue to do that," Price said. "We did at least 20 takes." And though he claims they hit it off and he'd like to invite her to a game, Price said, "B.J.'s still my favorite Upton." (To see the video, go to tampabay.com/blogs/rays)

Davis' brush with danger

RHP Wade Davis is an avid outdoorsman who once killed a bear with a crossbow, but he was shaken during a winter hunting outing in upstate New York, when he came within 4 feet of stepping on a young bear. The cub and another jumped up and Davis, fearing others were nearby, made sure his rifle was loaded and quickly retreated. "I walked backward for about 200 yards," he said.

Spring roster (59)

Pitchers (30): Chris Archer, Bryan Augenstein*, Burke Badenhop, Matt Bush, Alex Cobb, Alex Colome, Wade Davis, Dane De La Rosa, Kyle Farnsworth, Marquis Fleming*, Brandon Gomes, Jeremy Hellickson, J.P. Howell, Josh Lueke, Jake McGee, Matt Moore, Jeff Niemann, Johnny Nunez*, Ricky Orta*, Joel Peralta, David Price, Cesar Ramos, Ryan Reid*, Fernando Rodney, Wilking Rodriguez, Romulo Sanchez*, James Shields, Albert Suarez, Matt Torra*, Alex Torres.

Catchers (8): Craig Albernaz*, Nevin Ashley*, Robinson Chirinos, Chris Gimenez*, Jose Lobaton, Jose Molina, Mark Thomas*, Stephen Vogt.

Infielders (13): Tim Beckham*, Reid Brignac, Elliot Johnson, Jeff Keppinger, Hak-Ju Lee*, Evan Longoria, Matt Mangini*, Juan Miranda*, Carlos Pena, Will Rhymes*, Sean Rodriguez, Luke Scott, Ben Zobrist.

Outfielders (8): Brad Coon*, Jesus Feliciano*, Sam Fuld, Brandon Guyer, Desmond Jennings, Matt Joyce, Jeff Salazar*, B.J. Upton

* Non-roster invitee

Number of the day

7 Players on the 40-man roster new to the organization; last spring it was 13

Who is this Ray?

He is a member of one of the 18 trios of brothers to play in the major leagues, and the only one in which each has a World Series ring. He played previously with the Angels, Yankees and Jays.

Key dates

Monday: Pitchers and catchers report to Port Charlotte

Tuesday: First workout

Saturday: Position players report

Feb. 26: First full-squad workout

March 1: Intrasquad game

March 3: Exhibition opener vs. Twins in Fort Myers

April 6: Season opener vs. Yankees at Tropicana Field

The dish

Tuesday's first workout for pitchers and catchers starts around 10 a.m. (subsequent days at 9:30) at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and will last 2½-3 hours. Admission and parking free. Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: 1-75 South to Toledo Blade Road, go west 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, stadium complex is on left. For more information: (941) 235-5025.

Exhibition schedule

Tickets: $9/12-27, available via raysbaseball.com, at the box office, and through Ticketmaster.

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All games 1:05 unless noted

March

3: at Twins

4: Twins

5: Orioles

6: Twins

7: at Yankees

8: Tigers (ss)

at Twins (ss)

9: Orioles

10: at Red Sox (7:05)

11: Pirates

12: Twins

13: at Orioles

14: Marlins

15: Phillies

16: at Jays

17: at Pirates

18: Red Sox

19: Off

20: at Marlins

21: Yankees

22: at Pirates

23: Jays (7:05)

24: at Twins (3:05)

25: Marlins

26: at Twins

27: at Red Sox (1:35)

28: Pirates (7:05)

29: at Phillies

30: at Pirates

31: Red Sox

April

1: at Orioles

2: Twins

3: at Twins

4: vs. Future Rays, 1:40, at Tropicana Field

Who am I answer: C Jose Molina

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer