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Tyler Glasnow puts on a show in exhibiting new slider

Rays Notes | Manager Kevin Cash leads chorus of raves about the work the right-hander has done to expand his repertoire.
 
Tyler Glasnow was impressive in his first live batting practice session of the spring on Wednesday at Rays camp in Port Charlotte.
Tyler Glasnow was impressive in his first live batting practice session of the spring on Wednesday at Rays camp in Port Charlotte. [ MARC TOPKIN | Times ]
Published Feb. 24, 2021|Updated Feb. 25, 2021

PORT CHARLOTTE — Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow entered spring training ready to go, and he showed it Wednesday in his first session facing hitters, showing off his new weapon — a slider.

“He looked tremendous,” manager Kevin Cash said. “I can’t imagine what it feels like to throw a baseball like he does. Just sitting from that catcher point of view, or even a right-handed or left-handed hitter point of view, it’s amazing how it explodes.

“There’s a lot of guys in the game that do that. Glasnow, he’s pretty special with the combination of weapons that he’s working with. The fastball, the curveball, now he’s really worked on a slider. ... It’s got a chance to be another special pitch for him, so he’ll continue to work. His tempo was really good. And the velocity looked just like it did in October.”

Glasnow said he was pleased with the outing, specifically the development of the new pitch, more of a hybrid between a slider and a cutter, which he has enhanced since arriving in camp with feedback from the assorted high-tech data-gathering devices the Rays have.

He threw it 14 times in his 29-pitch session, checking frequently with pitching coach Kyle Snyder, who was behind the mound; catcher Mike Zunino; and the hitters, asking Manuel Margot, for example, if he would have swung at one had it been a regular-season game.

“I was just trying to get a feel for it off the mound and kind of throw it to hitters, and I was surprised it felt really comfortable for strikes and stuff,” Glasnow said. “As far as grip goes and comfort level throwing it, it’s way higher than I expected. So, I’m really happy about it.”

Arozarena says legal issue resolved

Outfielder Randy Arozarena said his legal issue in Mexico during the offseason stemmed from an argument with the mother of his daughter that has since been resolved. “It was just miscommunication on both of our parts,” he said via team interpreter Manny Navarro. “Everything got resolved down there nice and quick, and nothing really bad came out of it.” The postseason breakout star was arrested following the dispute but released with no charges filed. Rays general manager Erik Neander said last week Arozarena won’t face any league discipline.

Kittredge makes impressive return

When Andrew Kittredge walked off the Fenway Park mound Aug. 12 with what was diagnosed as a torn elbow ligament, he appeared headed for Tommy John surgery that could threaten his career. But Kittredge, 30, worked hard to rehab the injury, re-signed with the Rays on a minor-league deal, and Wednesday threw a live batting practice session with the others in his group.

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“That injury, that kind of shook all of us,” Cash said. “They all do. But with Kitt, he had thrown the night before, he comes back in to open a game and aggravates his elbow area, forearm area. It’s very encouraging the work that he’s put in. He definitely looked normal from my eyes, my point of view. And I know the stuff that he’s thrown in the back with Kyle (Snyder), they’re very encouraged with where he’s at.”

Miscellany

• As if the Rays don’t have enough options moving players around to different positions, Cash said that during camp they will look at Brandon Lowe (who plays second base and outfield) at third base, Mike Brosseau (who plays the other three infield spots and outfield) at shortstop and Yoshi Tsutsugo (who plays outfield and third) at first base.

• Yandy Diaz took some good-natured ribbing from teammates while facing Glasnow for hitting an opposite-field single to right, something he did often during the 2020 season rather than pull the ball.

• Cash mentioned the work of newly acquired pitchers Jeffrey Springs and Yacksel Rios.