By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — The reasons for the Rays' rotation shuffle were to keep top starters LHP David Price and RHP James Shields on a more regular schedule and limit the innings of rookie RHP Jeremy Hellickson.
But an interesting byproduct is that Price and Shields are now lined up to face the first-place Yankees on May 16-17 at the Trop.
The Rays moved up Price (to Thursday) and Shields (to Friday in Baltimore) so they have only five days between starts instead of six and moved Hellickson back (from Thursday to Saturday) to essentially skip one start. The disruption was created by the off day April 25 followed by the rainout April 26 and the need for a spot starter Sunday.
"We wanted to optimize the use of Price and Shields," manager Joe Maddon said. "It's about keeping them about as close to their schedule as possible and really only interrupting one guy in a more severe manner, but I think Helly can handle it."
Maddon said they will stay in the new order — Price, Shields, Hellickson, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann — through Monday's off day in Cleveland.
FRIEDMAN'S DAD EYES ASTROS: Executive VP Andrew Friedman's father, Kenny, is heading a group of Houston investors seeking to buy the Astros but admittedly playing from behind.
Another Houston businessman, Jim Crane, has an exclusive negotiating window with team owner Drayton McLane. Kenny Friedman, a lawyer who also heads the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, told Houston media he has the necessary financial backing and has been approved by MLB. "I'm going to continue to keep pushing until someone tells me not to," he told mlb.com.
Even if his group were successful, it would not necessarily mean that Andrew Friedman would leave the Rays — though, coincidentally, there has been speculation that Crane would try to hire him. Friedman, like other top executives under Stuart Sternberg's ownership, doesn't have a contract.
GOMES CALLED UP: RHP Brandon Gomes, one of three relievers acquired from the Padres in the Jason Bartlett trade, made an impressive debut, allowing only a walk in two innings. And he got the ball, courtesy of 3B Evan Longoria, as a souvenir.
Gomes arrived at the Trop with a big smile after a whirlwind 24 hours since getting word of his unexpected promotion from Durham. "It's amazing how quick stuff turns around," Gomes said. "I was in Double A all year last year and just like that in the big leagues."
Gomes, 26, did his part with an impressive showing in his first experience at Triple A, posting a 1.35 ERA and 22/5 strikeout/walk ratio in 131/3 innings, plus going 6-for-6 in saves.
The Rays plan to use him in middle relief. "I have a lot of confidence in this guy," Maddon said. "I know his experience is limited with mostly Double A and a little bit of Triple A, but I think he's kind of a tough guy, and I think he's going to be okay."
LOPEZ SENT OUT: To make room for Longoria, veteran INF Felipe Lopez was designated for assignment, giving the Rays 10 days to release or trade him or pass him through waivers.
Maddon said he hopes Lopez stays in the organization, and the Rays expect him to accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham if he clears waivers.
Maddon also said he wanted it known that Lopez's two incidents of lack of hustling to first, the second leading to a one-day benching, had "zero to do with the decision." More so, they have more use for 1B Dan Johnson.
LONGO ON THE MOVE: Longoria was back in his familiar, and favored, No. 3 spot in the order against Jays LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, but Maddon is still contemplating dropping him to cleanup against right-handers.
The idea is to put a hitter with a high on-base percentage (Matt Joyce, .432 vs. RHP? Casey Kotchman, .436?) in front of Longoria to "optimize his chances of driving in runs," Maddon said. "That's all I'm trying to figure out."
MISCELLANY: LHP J.P. Howell leaves today for Durham, where he's scheduled for five appearances to complete his rehab from shoulder surgery, the last May 16. … C John Jaso and RHP Joel Peralta will be at All Children's Hospital today to visit patients and hand out pillows as part of Rays Kids Spirits Day. … Class A Charlotte RHP Alex Colome was named FSL pitcher of the week.