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Rays’ spring opener at Twins, 1:05 p.m. today

It’s the first game of spring training, and much of the focus will be on implementation of the new rules, especially the pitch clock.
 
The Tampa Bay Rays warm up for their first spring game on Saturday in Fort Myers against the Twins.
The Tampa Bay Rays warm up for their first spring game on Saturday in Fort Myers against the Twins. [ MARC TOPKIN | Times ]
Published Feb. 25, 2023

FORT MYERS — The Rays play the first of their 30 spring exhibitions today, as they visit the Twins for the first of back-to-back games in Fort Myers.

Though several of the Rays’ projected regulars are in the lineup, most of the focus will be on the execution and enforcement of the new rules, specifically the pitch clock, which forces pitchers and batters to move more quickly.

Two games were played Friday in Arizona, and both were done in about 2 1/2 hours. Rays manager Kevin Cash said Saturday, “who wouldn’t sign up for a quicker spring training game?”

Cooper Criswell will start for the Rays, with Josh Fleming, Rule 5 pick Kevin Kelly and touted prospect Mason Montgomery among those slated to pitch.

Here is the Rays lineup, with Harold Ramirez getting some reps at first base, where he may play occasionally this year:

And for the Twins:

On deck

Sunday: at Red Sox (Fort Myers), 1:05-W. Rays, Taj Bradley; Sox, TBA

Monday: at Orioles (Sarasota), 1:05. Rays, Elvin Rodriguez; O’s, TBA

Tuesday: vs. Braves (Disney), 1:05-M. Rays, Jeffrey Springs; Yankees, TBA

More schedule

Tickets available through raysbaseball.com and MLB Ballpark app; home games as of Thursday played at Tropicana Field; all games 1:05 unless noted

MARCH

Wednesday: at Braves (North Port)

Thursday: vs. Twins-M/B

3: at Jays (Dunedin), 1:07

4: at Yankees-W (Tampa)

5: vs. Orioles-W

6: vs. Marlins-M/B

7: at Phillies (Clearwater)

9: vs. Jays (ss)-M

10: vs. Braves-M/B

11: at Marlins (Jupiter)-W, 3:10

12: at Mets (Port St. Lucie)-W, 1:10

13: vs. Tigers (ss)-M/B

14: vs. Twins (ss)-M/B

15: at Red Sox (Fort Myers)

16: vs. Braves-M/B; at Twins (Fort Myers)

17: at Pirates (Bradenton)

18: vs. Red Sox-W (ss)

19: vs. Jays-W

20: at Braves (North Port)

21: at Twins (Fort Myers)-W, 6:05

22: vs. Phillies-M/B

24: vs. Mets-M/B

25: vs. Red Sox-W

26: at Tigers-W (Lakeland)

27: at Yankees (Tampa)

30: Season opener, vs. Tigers-W/B (Trop) 3:10

(ss) split squad; B-TV coverage, Bally Sports Sun; W-Radio coverage, WDAE; M-Radio coverage, mlb.com/raysbaseball.com

Spring roster (81)

(as of Feb. 24; x-nonroster)

Pitchers (44): Jason Adam, Shawn Armstrong, Shane Baz, Jalen Beeks-L, Taj Bradley, x-Colten Brewer, x-Trevor Brigden, x-Braden Bristo, x-Zack Burdi, x-Ryan Burr, Yonny Chirinos, Garrett Cleavinger-L, x-Kyle Crick, x-Cooper Criswell, Zach Eflin, Pete Fairbanks, Calvin Faucher, Josh Fleming-L, Tyler Glasnow, x-Andrew Gross, x-Ben Heller, x-Heath Hembree, x-Trevor Kelley, Kevin Kelly, Andrew Kittredge, x-Joe LaSorsa-L, Shane McClana­han-L, x-Evan McKendry, x-Michael Mercado, x-Anthony Molina, x-Mason Montgomery-L, x-Chris Muller, Luis Patino, x-Hector Perez, Colin Poche-L, Drew Rasmussen, x-Evan Reifert, x-Josh Roberson, x-Elvin Rodriguez, x-Jaime Schultz, x-Graham Spraker, Jeffrey Springs-L, Ryan Thompson

Catchers (8): x-Roberto Alvarez, Christian Bethancourt, x-Gavin Collins, x-Nick Dini, x-Logan Driscoll, x-Blake Hunt, Francisco Mejia, Rene Pinto

Infielders (16): Jonathan Aranda, Osleivis Basabe, Vidal Brujan, x-Charlie Culberson, Yandy Diaz, Wander Franco, x-Tristan Gray, Greg Jones, Brandon Lowe, x-Kyle Manzardo, Curtis Mead, Isaac Paredes, x-Daniel Robertson, x-Austin Shenton, x-Ronny Simon, Taylor Walls

Outfielders (13): Randy Arozarena, x-Ruben Cardenas, x-Ben Gamel, x-Niko Hulsizer, Josh Lowe, Manuel Margot, x-Kameron Misner, x-Tristan Peters, x-Jordan Qsar, Luke Raley, Harold Ramirez, Jose Siri, x-Grant Witherspoon

• • •

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