Rays set to take on Red Sox with Rich Hill on mound

UPDATE, 11:37: Joe Odom will catch, as Kevan Smith was scratched due to back tightness.

DEVELOPING: The Rays head back to Fort Myers today to take on the Red Sox, with veteran free-agent addition Rich Hill making his first appearance of the spring.

Hill, 41 next week, signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal to join the Rays, hoping for the opportunity to win a World Series, a goal that has eluded him during his first 16 big-league seasons.

He likely will work just one inning, as most of the Rays starters have the first time out.

Reliever Diego Castillo, a veteran member of the bullpen, is set for his spring debut as well, as are a couple of the Rays’ young starting prospects, Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman.

Also Friday:

* Manager Kevin Cash said Yoshi Tsutsugo had an impressive day of drill work at first base on Thursday and looks very comfortable. He will rotate between first base, third and leftfield during the spring and potentially the regular season.

* Cash said the staff has been pleased with the initial work of catcher Francisco Mejia, who was acquired from the Padres, and is trying to help him learn the pitchers. But coaches also want to get more feedback from him.

* With rain in the forecast for pretty much all day Saturday, Cash said the Rays will be flexible and in communication with the Braves, who they are scheduled to face in Port Charlotte. If the game is canceled, Cash said the Rays will get some work done in the indoor cages and mounds.

Here is the Rays lineup against the Red Sox:

Wendle ss

Mejia dh

B. Lowe 2b

Brosseau 3b

Phillips cf

Odom c

Gomez lf

Whitley rf

Gray 1b

Hill p

And for the Red Sox, with former Ray, and Hernando High product, Christian Arroyo at second:

Hernandez ss

Verdugo cf

Martinez dh

Devers 3b

Renfroe rf

Gonzalez 1b

Vazquez c

Arroyo 2b

Gettys lf

Rodriguez p